Former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara doesn’t see any point in MS Dhoni batting at number eight or nine in the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026. In the previous season of the tournament, Dhoni continuously batted lower down the order despite some opportunities to bat higher.

Dhoni could only manage 196 runs in 13 innings of IPL 2025 at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17. Pujara said Dhoni still has the game to turn the matches on their head in IPL 2026.

Pujara said on JioHotstar, “I don’t see a point in MS Dhoni batting at No. 8 or 9, because he has the potential to turn games around single-handedly, something no other batter in the CSK team can do. If he bats for only five or ten balls, imagine what Mahi bhai can do if he plays 25 or 30 balls.”

Meanwhile, Pujara was part of the Chennai Super Kings squad in the 2021 season, when the franchise won the title. The former CSK batter said the team is like family.

“I’ve been in the CSK setup. In that environment, players are very comfortable; it’s like a family. When you’re in that setup, there is clarity about what is expected of you as a player. Loyalty also comes into the picture because most of CSK’s players, if you look at the history, stay for a long time once they become part of that setup. There is a transition in the team now, so there is a bit more preference for young players,” said Pujara (via the aforementioned source).

In IPL 2025, CSK had ended the league stage as the cellar-dwellers of the tournament with only four wins and 10 losses. Thus, the Chennai-based franchise will aim to come up with an improved performance in the upcoming edition of the lucrative tournament.

CSK will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals, at Guwahati.