Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans will still have hope of seeing MS Dhoni return for another IPL 2027 despite the fact that CSK chief executive officer Kasi Viswanathan has expressed optimism that the former may return for IPL 2027, though he has yet to announce his plans.
But Dhoni had to miss the entire IPL 2026 season to recover from his injury and the team has now left it to Dhoni to make decisions about his future.
Viswanathan said in Chennai that he believes Dhoni could continue to play for the five-time IPL champions.
CSK CEO remains hopeful that Dhoni will return.
Viswanathan said the franchise remained hopeful that Dhoni would continue as a player. “It is with the former India captain who informs the management about his plans when he arrives in Chennai,” he said.
The CSK CEO said that he believed there was a reasonable chance that Dhoni will be retained by the team and said he had every chance of Dhoni staying with the team and that the veteran was still a player of the team and the CSK CEO said he believed that he would continue to be part of the team.
His comments will be of encouragement to fans who want Dhoni to return to the field. However, they are not a confirmation that he will participate in IPL 2027.
Why did MS Dhoni Miss IPL 2026?
Dhoni was not selected for one match in the IPL 2026 and this can be seen in his long-standing association with the tournament.
The veteran had multiple injury issues and suffered from calf and hamstring injuries early in the season and a thumb injury later on in the season. He was not able to take the field and didn’t take action despite being involved with the team.
Dhoni continued to be present at training sessions and was coaching the young players from the dugout. His presence also gave Chennai a little continuity in a tough season.
CSK finished eighth in the 10-team competition, making the season disappointing in the eyes of fans as such an organization has dominated championships for many years.
Suresh Raina wants Dhoni back for one more season
Suresh Raina, another CSK batter, said he wishes Dhoni would return in 2027.
Raina also revealed that he had encouraged his former teammate to take another season and that the missed 2026 campaign should not be considered to be the end of his IPL career.
Even Raina admitted Dhoni had mentioned that he had expressed concerns about his physical condition. The veteran’s fitness and ability to cope with the pressure of playing professional cricket will be key for him in the future for sure.
The comments reflect the hope of former teammates and supporters that Dhoni can make one more appearance in CSK colours.
CSK prepare for life beyond Dhoni.
CSK must be planning for the long term and it will still need to work on developing younger players to keep wicketkeepers and leadership positions strong.
Sanju Samson came to CSK in the lead up to IPL 2026 and played all 14 games in his first season with the team and scored 477 runs. His arrival is an important option for the team as it considers their future squad.
But Dhoni’s experience, influence and relationship with the Chennai fans is still very important, whether he stays in the team or eventually takes on another role.
Will Dhoni play in the 2027 IPL?
There is no official announcement of Dhoni to return in IPL 2027. CSK would also like to keep him, but the decision to do so is up to the individual, said Viswanathan.
At this point of his career, fitness, recovery and personal readiness will be key considerations. Dhoni has previously indicated that he prefers to make decisions about his future on his own terms.
So CSK supporters are going to have to wait for an announcement from the former captain. But the CEO's optimism of a second season is still alive, but Dhoni's IPL future remains unknown.
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