IPL 2026: 3 Players Who Can Replace MS Dhoni In CSK If He Retires

MS Dhoni might have already played his last Indian Premier League (IPL) game. 

The wicketkeeper-batter is 44, and with trade rumours of Sanju Samson moving to Chennai Super Kings (CSK), there is a strong possibility that we could have seen the last of ‘Thala’ in the yellow jersey. 

If that’s the case, who are the three players who can replace him at CSK?

Sanju Samson

There’s already a strong rumour that Sanju Samson is moving to CSK for an all-cash trade, and if that happens, CSK don’t need to find a replacement. 

Samson is already a proven commodity at the IPL level, with 4,704 runs, averaging 30.94 at a strike rate of 139.04. In his illustrious IPL career, the Kerala man has already smashed three hundreds and 26 half-centuries, making for a telling case. 

Not just that, Samson is highly capable behind the sticks, with 86 catches and 17 stumping. 

Ishan Kishan

Rightfully, Ishan Kishan is hailed as the ‘next big thing’ from Jharkhand. 

Guess who is quite literally the ‘biggest thing’ from Jharkhand? MS Dhoni. Hence, you can’t ask for a better replacement than Kishan, who, despite his indifferent form, will be the perfect fit for CSK.

Kishan is strong against pace, and the numbers point at that, striking at 142.14. Even in a bad season like the 2025 one, the left-hander amassed 354 runs, averaging 35.4, with a hundred and a fifty. If he does replace Dhoni, CSK will benefit greatly, given his attributes at the top of the order. 

Rishabh Pant

Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, there were strong links between CSK and Rishabh Pant, as the left-hander was viewed as the perfect replacement. It wasn’t surprising one bit, as the 27-year-old has long lived in the shadows of Dhoni during his early international days. 

Pant’s T20 numbers might not be the best, but in terms of brand, it is the perfect match for CSK, given he’s just 27.