Robin Uthappa Predicts IPL 2026 As MS Dhoni’s Last Season

Former India batter Robin Uthappa believes IPL 2026 will be MS Dhoni’s last season, with the CSK legend expected to play a mentor role as the franchise focuses on youth development.

Chennai Super Kings signalled a clear shift in strategy at the IPL 2026 mini-auction on Tuesday. The five-time champions invested heavily in two uncapped players, signing 19-year-old Uttar Pradesh left-arm spinner Prashant Veer and 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma for INR 14.2 crore each. The deals made them the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian players in IPL auction history.

CSK also added leg-spinner Rahul Chahar and middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan. The recruitment approach has started a discussion around MS Dhoni’s evolving role within the franchise.

Former India and CSK player Robin Uthappa believes the current squad-building direction points toward Dhoni transitioning into a mentor-focused role. Last season, Dhoni led the side after Ruturaj Gaikwad missed part of the tournament.

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“I think the writing is on the wall. This(IPL 2026) is clearly going to be MS Dhoni’s last season. No more conjecture, no more speculation about whether he is going to play another year or not. This year, he will be well and truly done,” Uthappa told JioHotstar.

“I think all the signs point towards that when you look at the investment in youth and the kind of teams they have picked since last year. They are focused on developing talent, uncovering talent and keeping that talent within the franchise,” he continued.

“It’s a fair call. If you can develop another Jadeja with the kind of mentorship MS Dhoni provides, along with the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad, why not? That’s the direction you want to move in,” the former cricketer added.

Robin Uthappa further believes MS Dhoni will remain closely linked with Chennai Super Kings even after his playing days end. He expects Dhoni to take on a mentor-led role.

“We all know that if he is not playing, he will be mentoring the side. I think this year he will operate as a mentor-cum-player. He is already viewing things from that perspective, which is why they are bringing in players like these,” he concluded.