Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has made a major statement about MS Dhoni’s future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of the 2027 auction.
Kaif’s remarks have once again brought attention to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend’s future in the tournament, with questions continuing over how long the veteran wicketkeeper-batter will continue playing.
The former India batter’s comments highlight Dhoni’s influence at CSK, particularly among the younger players. Despite missing the entire IPL 2026 season because of injury concerns, Dhoni remained involved with the franchise and continued to guide its players in the practice sessions.
“When has Dhoni ever opened his cards? So how can we say he will take a call in December? He might have said it now, but he will not. He missed games last year, but we would always see clips of him practising in the nets, which made us think he would play the next game, but he hat went on. The entire IPL passed, and he was not even ruled out as such. Even his parents had come, and it felt like it would be his last game. But no one knows about Dhoni. No one. So we will have to wait and watch. Although his end is near, everyone knows that. He himself knows it. But CSK will have to move on. And they have, in some way, by trading in Samson,” Mohammad Kaif said in a video on his YouTube channel.
The former UP batter reckons CSK will benefit after trading in England all-rounder Liam Livingstone from Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“I feel CSK will also benefit from Livingstone. The pitch in Chennai has changed a bit now. Runs are being scored there too, and the role of spinners has reduced. Fast bowlers are also doing well there. So, if they want to play only two spinners, Livingstone can bowl off-spin along with Noor. He can also be effective against left-handers as an off-spinner if needed, as a finisher and someone who can bowl a few overs too,” he said.
IPL 2027 auction will be held in Goa in mid-December.
