Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have suffered a major blow just days before the start of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Their former captain and the heart and soul of the CSK team, MS Dhoni, has been ruled out of the first two weeks of the league. Dhoni is currently 44 years old, and managing an athlete's body at this age is quite challengingespecially considering that he now plays professional cricket for only two months a year. Dhoni has sustained a calf strain, which will prevent him from playing during the first two weeks of IPL 2026.
CSK will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign on March 30 in Guwahati against the Rajasthan Royals (RR). The team will be captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad; however, this marks the first time in CSK's IPL history that they will play a match without MS Dhoni.
We take a look at three players who could step into Dhoni's shoes in the CSK squad should he be ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season.1. Abhinav Manohar
Abhinav Manohar could perhaps be the best option to fill MS Dhoni's shoes at CSK. Manohar was another name that no team expected to feature in the auction. His tall stature and fearless playing style enable him to clear the boundaries with ease. Although expectations were high, he failed to deliver impactful performances for his previous teams, the Gujarat Titans and the Sunrisers Hyderabad. However, CSK could groom him as a 'finisher,' and this could prove to be an excellent synergy for both the franchise and the player.
2. Mayank Agarwal
Mayank Agarwal is one of India's most experienced batsmen; yet, surprisingly, he went unsold in this year's auction. The Punjab Kings had once retained him for a substantial sum, but a sudden dip in Agarwal's form led IPL teams to stop considering him. However, the Karnataka batsman is making a comeback following a magnificent domestic season, and his prowess against spin bowling is considered among the very best among current Indian players. He also played a pivotal role for RCB last year; stepping in for Devdutt Padikkal, he played invaluable innings in several crucial matches.
3. KS Bharat
KS Bharat was once a regular fixture in India's Test squad; however, his performance in the shortest format of the game (T20) has not been particularly impressive. Nevertheless, when it comes to his skills behind the stumps—specifically his wicketkeeping—he is currently regarded as the finest in India. Bharat could step into the role of an additional wicketkeeper to fill the void left by Dhoni's departure, while also serving as a backup option for Sanju Samson.
Bharat last played in the IPL in 2024 for the Kolkata Knight Riders; prior to this, he was also associated with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Capitals, and Gujarat Titans franchises. In the 11 matches played so far, he has scored a total of 199 runs at a strike rate of 122.
Also Read: When and why was the IPL Opening Ceremony cancelled?
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