Former India off-spinner and a longtime Chennai Super Kings figure, Ravichandran Ashwin, has voiced optimism that MS Dhoni could turn up for CSK\u2019s IPL 2026 encounter on Monday against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Speaking on his YouTube show \u201cAsh Ki Baat\u201d, Ashwin said, \u201cI have a feeling. A lot of people are coming on May 18th. Many members of the commentary team are coming and doing commentary from the commentary box itself. So who knows whether he will play or not, but I am thinking he might come at least. Let\u2019s see.\u201d CSK, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, will play their last home match of the league phase on Monday at Chepauk, and talk around Dhoni\u2019s involvement has intensified.<\/p>\n
The 44-year-old Dhoni has not yet appeared in IPL 2026 while continuing his recovery from a calf issue. Although the right-handed batter has been taking part in net sessions, it remains uncertain when he will be ready to return to CSK\u2019s starting XI for what is described as a must-win clash against SRH.<\/p>\n
CSK currently find themselves in sixth place in the points table with 12 points, and they need major results in their final two league matches to keep their playoff hopes alive.<\/p>\n
The five-time champions arrive at the fixture after enduring a seven-wicket loss to Lucknow Super Giants in their most recent outing. After beginning the campaign with three successive defeats, CSK have steadied their ship and are still in the running for a playoff spot.<\/p>\n
Ashwin also suggested a possible role for Dhoni, noting that the wicketkeeper-batter could take the place of young all-rounder Prashant Veer in the playing XI, or be used as an impact option to provide late-match power. \u201cOne option is that you can drop Prashant Veer and bring MS into the team, but he has to be an Impact Player. I don\u2019t think MS Dhoni will play in the team; maybe he will be on the Impact List. Then, with the Impact Substitution rule, if they are chasing, he can be kept in the Impact List. Impact List, 70-30,\u201d Ashwin added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Former India off-spinner and a longtime Chennai Super Kings figure, Ravichandran Ashwin, has voiced optimism that MS Dhoni could turn up for CSK\u2019s IPL 2026…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":10664,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Ashwin Backs MS Dhoni as Impact Player vs SRH in IPL","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"R Ashwin expects MS Dhoni to embrace the Impact Player role for CSK vs SRH in IPL 2026, adding buzz ahead of MA Chidambaram showdown.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n