Less than two weeks now remain until the start of the 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). The opening match is scheduled to be played on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium between last year's champions, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Fans are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to watch legends like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni take the field. While Dhoni participates exclusively in the IPL, Rohit and Kohli, too, limit their involvement primarily to One Day Internationals and the IPL. Here, we shine a spotlight on four players for whom the IPL 2026 season could potentially prove to be their final season as active players.
1. MS Dhoni (CSK)
Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the most successful captains in the IPL; under his leadership, CSK has won the championship title five times. He has been playing for the Chennai franchise since the very first season (with the exception of 2016 and 2017); although he is no longer the team's captain, he had to briefly assume the responsibility of captaincy last season following Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni has now begun preparations for the 2026 IPL season, which may potentially be his final season as a player.
For the 2026 IPL, CSK has inducted Sanju Samson into their squad, who is widely regarded as Dhoni's successor. In the recently concluded 2026 T20 World Cup, Sanju was named the 'Player of the Tournament.' Speaking of Dhoni's IPL career, he has amassed a total of 5,439 runs across 278 matches, including 24 half-centuries.
MS Dhoni IPL Career| IPL Season | Match | Runs | HS | Avg | S/R | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | 196 | 30* | 24.50 | 135.17 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| 2024 | 14 | 161 | 37* | 53.67 | 220.55 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 13 |
| 2023 | 16 | 104 | 32* | 26.00 | 182.46 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| 2022 | 14 | 232 | 50* | 33.14 | 123.40 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 10 |
| 2021 | 16 | 114 | 18* | 16.28 | 106.54 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 3 |
| 2020 | 14 | 200 | 47* | 25.00 | 116.27 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 7 |
| 2019 | 15 | 416 | 84* | 83.20 | 134.62 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 23 |
| 2018 | 16 | 455 | 79* | 75.83 | 150.66 | 0 | 3 | 24 | 30 |
| 2017 | 16 | 290 | 61* | 26.36 | 116.00 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 16 |
| 2016 | 14 | 284 | 64* | 40.57 | 135.23 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 14 |
| 2015 | 17 | 372 | 53 | 31.00 | 121.96 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 17 |
| 2014 | 16 | 371 | 57* | 74.20 | 148.40 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 20 |
| 2013 | 18 | 461 | 67* | 41.90 | 162.89 | 0 | 4 | 32 | 25 |
| 2012 | 19 | 358 | 51* | 29.83 | 128.77 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 9 |
| 2011 | 16 | 392 | 70* | 43.55 | 158.70 | 0 | 2 | 25 | 23 |
| 2010 | 13 | 287 | 66* | 31.88 | 136.66 | 0 | 2 | 26 | 8 |
| 2009 | 14 | 332 | 58* | 41.50 | 127.20 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 9 |
| 2008 | 16 | 414 | 65 | 41.40 | 133.54 | 0 | 2 | 38 | 15 |
| All IPL | 278 | 5,439 | 84* | 38.30 | 137.45 | 0 | 24 | 375 | 264 |
2. Ajinkya Rahane (KKR)
Kolkata Knight Riders have made it clear that Ajinkya Rahane will continue as captain for the 2026 IPL season. However, if this season proves to be a failure for Rahane as a batsman, it could also turn out to be his final season. If KKR releases the 37-year-old Rahane, there is very little likelihood that any other team would sign him. Rahane has scored a total of 5,032 runs in 198 IPL matches, including 33 half-centuries and 2 centuries.
Ajinkya Rahane IPL Career| IPL Season | Match | Runs | HS | Avg | S/R | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | 390 | 61 | 35.45 | 147.73 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 20 |
| 2024 | 13 | 242 | 45 | 20.17 | 123.47 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 7 |
| 2023 | 14 | 326 | 71* | 32.60 | 172.49 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 16 |
| 2022 | 7 | 133 | 44 | 19.00 | 103.91 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 8.00 | 100.00 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 9 | 113 | 60 | 14.12 | 105.60 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 2 |
| 2019 | 14 | 393 | 105* | 32.75 | 137.89 | 1 | 1 | 45 | 9 |
| 2018 | 15 | 370 | 65* | 28.46 | 118.21 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 5 |
| 2017 | 16 | 382 | 60 | 25.46 | 118.26 | 0 | 2 | 35 | 9 |
| 2016 | 14 | 480 | 74 | 43.63 | 126.64 | 0 | 6 | 54 | 9 |
| 2015 | 14 | 540 | 91* | 49.09 | 130.75 | 0 | 4 | 53 | 13 |
| 2014 | 13 | 339 | 72 | 28.25 | 116.49 | 0 | 3 | 38 | 3 |
| 2013 | 18 | 488 | 68* | 34.85 | 106.55 | 0 | 4 | 42 | 11 |
| 2012 | 16 | 560 | 103* | 40.00 | 129.33 | 1 | 3 | 73 | 10 |
| 2011 | 10 | 120 | 52 | 20.00 | 122.44 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 2 |
| 2009 | 8 | 144 | 62* | 24.00 | 117.07 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2.00 | 23.52 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| All IPL | 198 | 5,032 | 105* | 30.50 | 125.02 | 2 | 33 | 514 | 123 |
3. Ishant Sharma (GT)
37-year-old fast bowler Ishant Sharma has taken 96 wickets in 117 IPL matches. Last season, Ishant joined the Gujarat Titans, where he failed to perform up to expectations. He took just 4 wickets in 7 matches, maintaining an economy rate of 11.18. He will play for the same team in the upcoming season as well; however, if his performance remains unchanged, he could face difficulties. In other words, his IPL career will hinge on this very season.
Ishant Sharma IPL Career| IPL Season | Match | Over | Runs | Wkts | Avg | Eco | Bst | 4w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 18.2 | 205 | 4 | 51.25 | 11.18 | 1/18 | 0 |
| 2024 | 9 | 27 | 265 | 10 | 26.50 | 9.81 | 3/34 | 0 |
| 2023 | 8 | 25 | 206 | 10 | 20.60 | 8.24 | 2/19 | 0 |
| 2021 | 3 | 12 | 97 | 1 | 97.00 | 8.08 | 1/26 | 0 |
| 2020 | 1 | 3 | 26 | 0 | 0.00 | 8.66 | 0/26 | 0 |
| 2019 | 13 | 46 | 349 | 13 | 26.84 | 7.58 | 3/38 | 0 |
| 2017 | 6 | 18 | 179 | 0 | 0.00 | 9.94 | 0/12 | 0 |
| 2016 | 4 | 15 | 148 | 3 | 49.33 | 9.86 | 2/36 | 0 |
| 2015 | 4 | 14 | 159 | 1 | 159.00 | 11.35 | 1/25 | 0 |
| 2014 | 3 | 11 | 101 | 3 | 33.66 | 9.18 | 2/37 | 0 |
| 2013 | 16 | 59.4 | 466 | 15 | 31.06 | 7.81 | 3/27 | 0 |
| 2011 | 12 | 44 | 314 | 11 | 28.54 | 7.13 | 5/12 | 0 |
| 2010 | 7 | 25 | 236 | 7 | 33.71 | 9.44 | 2/33 | 0 |
| 2009 | 11 | 43 | 297 | 11 | 27.00 | 6.90 | 2/15 | 0 |
| 2008 | 13 | 43.1 | 331 | 8 | 41.37 | 7.66 | 2/9 | 0 |
| All IPL | 117 | 404.1 | 3379 | 97 | 34.84 | 8.36 | 5/12 | 0 |
4. Marcus Stoinis (PBKS)
Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is a member of the Punjab Kings squad, having been retained by the team for a sum of ₹11 crore. In 109 matches played across four different teams in the IPL, Stoinis has scored 2,026 runs and claimed 44 wickets. The 36-year-old Stoinis is an explosive batsman who has played numerous pivotal innings; however, of late, he has not been able to contribute as expected. If his bat fails to fire in the IPL and the Punjab Kings decide to release him, this season (IPL 2026) could prove to be his final season as a player.
Marcus Stoinis IPL Career| IPL Season | Match | Runs | HS | Avg | S/R | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | 160 | 44* | 26.67 | 186.05 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 15 |
| 2024 | 14 | 388 | 124* | 32.33 | 147.53 | 1 | 2 | 39 | 16 |
| 2023 | 15 | 408 | 89* | 31.38 | 150.00 | 0 | 3 | 28 | 27 |
| 2022 | 11 | 156 | 38* | 19.50 | 147.17 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
| 2021 | 10 | 89 | 27* | 22.25 | 123.61 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 |
| 2020 | 17 | 352 | 65 | 25.14 | 148.52 | 0 | 3 | 31 | 16 |
| 2019 | 10 | 211 | 46* | 52.75 | 135.25 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 10 |
| 2018 | 7 | 99 | 29* | 24.75 | 130.26 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 |
| 2017 | 5 | 17 | 9 | 5.66 | 70.83 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 7 | 146 | 52 | 36.50 | 135.18 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 4 |
| All IPL | 109 | 2,026 | 124* | 28.14 | 144.71 | 1 | 9 | 158 | 106 |
5. Sunil Narine
KKR's mystery spinner and retained all-rounder will turn 38 in May 2026. This Trinidadian player has claimed over 170 IPL wickets at an economy rate of less than 7, while also reinventing himself as a formidable opener. His unique bowling action played a pivotal role in helping KKR secure the title; however, following his retirement from international cricket in 2023—and given his advancing age—he may have to step away from the team, particularly in light of new coaching opportunities.
Sunil Narine IPL Career| IPL Season | Match | Over | Runs | Wkts | Avg | Eco | Bst | 4w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 45 | 351 | 12 | 29.25 | 7.80 | 3/13 | 0 |
| 2024 | 15 | 55 | 368 | 17 | 21.65 | 6.69 | 2/22 | 0 |
| 2023 | 14 | 48 | 383 | 11 | 34.82 | 7.98 | 3/33 | 0 |
| 2022 | 14 | 56 | 312 | 9 | 34.67 | 5.57 | 2/21 | 0 |
| 2021 | 14 | 56 | 361 | 16 | 22.56 | 6.44 | 4/21 | 1 |
| 2020 | 10 | 38 | 302 | 5 | 60.40 | 7.94 | 2/28 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 44.2 | 347 | 10 | 34.70 | 7.82 | 2/19 | 0 |
| 2018 | 16 | 61 | 467 | 17 | 27.47 | 7.65 | 3/18 | 0 |
| 2017 | 16 | 59 | 412 | 10 | 41.20 | 6.98 | 2/29 | 0 |
| 2016 | 11 | 42.5 | 304 | 11 | 27.63 | 7.09 | 3/26 | 0 |
| 2015 | 8 | 32 | 234 | 7 | 33.42 | 7.31 | 4/19 | 1 |
| 2014 | 16 | 64 | 407 | 21 | 19.38 | 6.35 | 4/20 | 2 |
| 2013 | 16 | 64 | 350 | 22 | 15.90 | 5.46 | 4/13 | 2 |
| 2012 | 15 | 59.1 | 324 | 24 | 13.50 | 5.47 | 5/19 | 1 |
| All IPL | 189 | 724.2 | 4922 | 192 | 25.64 | 6.80 | 5/19 | 7 |
Also Read: 3 Players Who Could Replace Josh Hazlewood in RCB If He Misses IPL 2026
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