IPL 2026 is likely to be MS Dhoni’s last year in the yellow jersey, says Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa believes IPL 2026 could be MS Dhoni’s final season with Chennai Super Kings, while backing Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain. He also questioned Sunrisers Hyderabad’s title chances, citing weak bowling despite their aggressive batting approach

New Delhi: Former India batter Robin Uthappa said he expects IPL 2026 to be MS Dhoni’s final year with Chennai Super Kings (CSK), adding that the five-time champions should persist with Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain instead of replacing him with Sanju Samson.

At 44, veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dhoni will be playing in his 19th edition of the IPL.

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“I don’t think CSK should hand over the leadership duties to Sanju Samson. You have to give Ruturaj Gaikwad time to settle as captain. He has been leading the team since 2024. No matter what people say, he is coming out of the shadow of MS Dhoni.

You want him to come out completely and stand in his own light. You want to see what he can produce. You want him to lead the team when MS is not playing and stand on his own, without that overwhelming feeling of always being under that energy. So I think you can see Dhoni being a little more hands-off.

IPL 2026 is likely to be his last year in the yellow jersey. I see him playing more of a mentor-cum-player role this year. I don’t see him batting at number seven. I see him batting at number eight. Knowing that he is on his way out, he wants to wean himself out,” said Uthappa on JioStar.

Uthappa also cast doubt on Sunrisers Hyderabad’s title prospects, saying their aggressive batting approach may not be enough without stronger bowling support. SRH have injury issues with skipper Pat Cummins and Eshan Malinga, who are likely to miss the initial stage of the competition.

SRH, to be led by Ishan Kishan, will open their IPL 2026 campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28.

“SRH’s aggressive batting is entertaining to watch. But batting like that won’t help them win the IPL. Their bowling is weaker. Bowlers are the ones who help you win the trophy. In Hyderabad, where they play seven matches, the pitch is a batting paradise.

Even someone like Mohammed Shami could not be penetrative on those flat wickets. You need a bowler like Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He swings the ball, changes pace and bowls yorkers. At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, you don’t want to put too much pace on the ball because it does not seam much.

I don’t think SRH have the bowling unit right now that can support their aggressive batting if the top order does not fire. We saw what happened last season. Apart from Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, no other batter was able to step up. When the top order failed, the bowlers were not able to defend totals. So I won’t consider SRH as a serious title contender this season,” he concluded.