“Looking at him, it doesn’t look like he’ll make it to ninth place.”

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes MS Dhoni can bat higher up and not at number eight or nine in the upcoming IPL season. Ashwin’s comments came in response to photos and videos of Dhoni training for IPL 2026 going viral on social media.

The legendary wicket-keeper-batsman endured a torrid season in IPL 2025, scoring less than 200 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17 in 14 matches. Moreover, Dhoni often came out to bat at the fall of the sixth or seventh wicket last season, leading many to wonder if the cricket hero might not field much in IPL 2026.

Talking about Dhoni’s training sessions for the upcoming IPL season, Ashwin said on his YouTube channel (55:28):

“Dhoni seems ready to play as he has already started practicing. He looks fit. Some said he might not play at number 11, or this might be his last season. But it seems like he was excited to see Imran Tahir. Looking at him, it doesn’t look like he will bat at number nine. It looks like he will come out to bat at number three in the power play and be the enforcer, the way he has started training.”

Dhoni’s struggles played a crucial role in Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffering their worst ever season in the Indian Premier League, finishing last in the standings.

“How are teams going to stop this batting lineup?” – Ravichandran Ashwin on CSK

Hailing CSK’s batting line-up, Ravichandran Ashwin described it as an unstoppable force with the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube in the top five. The Men in Yellow made a stunning move in the off-season by acquiring Samson in a trade for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran with Rajasthan Royals (RR).

“They have scouted very well and take pride in the strength of the batting line-up. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Aayush Mhatre, Dewald Preves, Shivam Dubey, Karthik Sharma and Prashant Vir are the batting line-up. Barring the inexperience of the latter two, you ask how will teams stop this batting line-up? Until 200 to 200 it becomes very difficult for teams to stop CSK,” Ashwin said (via the aforementioned source).

He concluded:

“Even Jimmy Overton offers great weapons. Only the combination CSK decides to go with can be seen. Aayush Mhatre, no matter what happens in the U-19 World Cup, will do well in the IPL. CSK’s batting is difficult to stop. If they get the combination and momentum right, this is a batting line-up that will make work very difficult for their bowlers throughout the tournament.”

CSK have missed the playoffs in the last two IPL seasons after winning the title in 2023. Their last-place finish last season was also a first for the proud franchise with five IPL titles.