Home Cricket Facts ‘MS Dhoni cannot play 5-10 ball role’: CSK legend told to take bowler’s place in XI in IPL 2026 return

‘MS Dhoni cannot play 5-10 ball role’: CSK legend told to take bowler’s place in XI in IPL 2026 return

cricadmin
-
0
‘MS Dhoni cannot play 5-10 ball role’: CSK legend told to take bowler’s place in XI in IPL 2026 return


Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have finally found their rhythm, winning consecutive games after three straight losses in the ongoing IPL 2026. However, the Chennai Super Kings camp is all set to face another headache after regaining form, and this is how they will fit MS Dhoni back into the XI.

Actually, MS Dhoni is recovering from a calf strain and has already missed the first five matches of the ongoing IPL 2026. But now, the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman is close to full fitness and could return to action against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 18 in Hyderabad.

Selection headache for CSK as MS Dhoni likely to return for SRH clash

Dhoni’s possible return is generating excitement but at the same time it is also creating a huge headache in the CSK team. A well-known broadcaster and cricket expert Harsha Bhogle believes that the problem is not whether Dhoni can play, but how he fits into the current balance of the team.

Also Read: MS Dhoni IPL 2026 Return Confirmed Against SRH? Final decision on…

With the CSK icon expected to bat at number 7 and also keep wickets, Harsha estimated that Dhoni will occupy an important place in the playing XI, which means a bowler will have to make way for him, and that will affect his overall bowling attack.

MS Dhoni will have to play the role of power batsman: Harsha Bhogle

However, Harsha strongly suggested that Dhoni should no longer be used just for a short 5-10 ball finishing role when he comes at the cost of a bowler. The anchor has insisted that Dhoni needs to take more responsibility with the bat and play a proper impact role rather than just playing a few balls.

Harsha Bhogale said on Cricbuzz: “Where does Dhoni fit in this side? He has to bat at 7 and he will keep wickets. That means he is playing a complete role. He is not an impact substitute. He is playing a complete role. So, someone has to come out because in the top 6, you only get occasional overs from Shivam Dube. So when Dhoni comes in at 7, a bowler will have to come out.”

He continued: “So, it will affect his bowling. When Dhoni comes in, the truth is that he is just starting to settle in. So, Dhoni will have to play the power hitter role, not just the 5-10 ball role, but the power hitter role because he is using the place of a bowler.”

Simon Doull predicts big change in bowling will suit MS Dhoni in CSK XI

Meanwhile, former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull also admitted that someone will have to make way for Dhoni and believes CSK could adjust their bowling combination to make room for him. The broadcaster estimated that they should go for Noor Ahmad, Akeal Hosein, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed and Jamie Overton, with Shivam Dube being the sixth choice.

Simon Doull said during the same discussion: “I don’t know. When you look at it, how do they fit it in? Here he bats at 7, so Gurjapneet Singh has to make way. In this situation, they have to get overs from Shivam Dubey as the sixth bowler.”

“So, they play with 5 bowlers. So, one of them just stays out from batting point of view and comes in as a substitute bowler. So, Dube becomes the sixth bowler and maybe Ayush Mhatre. Sarfaraz Khan maybe.”

Also Read: EX-CSK player criticizes Ruturaj Gaikwad for his slow batting approach in IPL 2026 clash