Irfan Pathan dropped MS Dhoni from his CSK best XI for IPL 2026, backing Sarfaraz Khan instead due to Dhoni’s limited batting role in recent seasons.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has left MS Dhoni out of his Chennai Super Kings best XI for IPL 2026. He feels Dhoni’s current batting role offers limited value to the team. Pathan suggested Sarfaraz Khan as the number 6 option. He believes the team needs a batter who can face more deliveries and contribute consistently.
Data from the last 5 seasons shows Dhoni faced 107, 188, 57, 73 and 145 balls. His average stands at 114. Dhoni has also moved down the order in recent seasons, aided by the Impact Player rule. Pathan stressed the need for more batting time from senior players. His selected squad includes Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube and Sarfaraz Khan. He also picked Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma among key names.
“Sarfaraz Khan has a place in this team at number six,” Pathan said in a video on his YouTube channel.
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“But if MS Dhoni says he’ll play regularly… because at some time, even the world’s best batter has to retire. Will he play all games? Will he not? I have been saying this for a long time, him being out there for two overs are certainly pleasing for Dhoni’s fans but CSK don’t benefit from it. If Dhoni has to play, it has to be four overs, only then does it benefit the team. If he doesn’t play, then does he think ‘Let’s make a team where batters get the best chance?’ because it’s Dhoni’s team,” he added.
Irfan Pathan’s CSK Best XI
Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhare, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Sarfaraz Khan, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Akeal Hosein, Matt Henry, Noor Ahmad
Khaleel Ahmed (impact player)
CSK IPL 2026 Squad
MS Dhoni (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson (traded in from RR), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Urvil Patel, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Jamie Overton, Gurjapneet Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma (wk), Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes.
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