‘Making up spot for wrong reasons’, Dhoni’s CSK spot questioned:Why AB de Villiers thinks ‘Ruturaj, Sanju are perfect players’ to succeed Thala?

With a major revamp in the Chennai Super Kings ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026, all eyes will be on MS Dhoni and how he establishes himself as a valuable addition to the playing XI. With Sanju Samson joining the Yellow army as wicketkeeper, South Africa legend AB de Villiers has questioned if Thala will really add any value as an individual. It’s worth noting that ex-CSK captain gave up the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 2024 season. Now, in the IPL 2026 mini auction, CSK acquired Sanju Samson via trade, adding a wicketkeeper of great calibre. Therefore, Dhoni’s role as a wicketkeeper might also be diminished in this season, and RCB legend knows this. ‘Making up a spot for wrong reasons’- De Villiers questions Dhoni’s place in CSK playing 11 Buzz around Dhoni’s retirement has been a constant backdrop to every IPL season since their title win in 2023. However, with inconsistent performances, the debate around his overstay at the franchise has also escalated steadily. Resonating with the same thought, AB de Villiers said on JioHotstar, “I don’t see a role for MS batting at 8 or 9 and not really doing enough. If he’s going to play the role of batting at 8 or 9 and not really captaining, then I just feel he’s almost making up a spot and is almost there for the wrong reasons. And that’s not the position that he deserves to be in.” He added, “I do feel that Ruturaj and Sanju are the perfect players to take over from MS.” De Villiers noted that a brand like CSK is not built by one individual alone but shaped over the years by the fans who invest in it; however, he did not deny what Dhoni brings to the table as an individual. Also Read: Ishan Kishan reportedly set to lead SRH: Uncertainty prevails over Pat Cummins’ fitness ‘Bat higher or step aside’- De Villiers separates sentiment from selection The South African legend noted in his conversation that Dhoni can still make it to the playing XI, but it should only be based on merit. He suggested that the finisher bats a little up in the order, as he said, “He’s got to bat himself up to, at the latest, number 6. I would even like to see him at 5 or 4 sometimes.” Former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara resonates with De Villiers’ opinion Ex-India player Cheteshwar Pujara also echoed the same thought as De Villiers as he said on JioStar, “I don’t see a point in MS Dhoni batting at No. 8 or 9, because he has the potential to turn games around single-handedly, something no other batter in the CSK team can do. If he bats for only five or ten balls, imagine what Mahi bhai can do if he plays 25 or 30 balls.” He further added, “I’ve been in the CSK setup. In that environment, players are very comfortable; it’s like a family. When you’re in that setup, there is clarity about what is expected of you as a player. There is a transition in the team now, so there is a bit more preference for young players.”
MS Dhoni one of 9 original players who played inaugural IPL edition Dhoni is one of the few players to have been part of the Indian Premier League since its inception in 2008. Over nearly two decades, he has shaped CSK into one of its most successful and beloved franchises with match-winning knocks. However, his role has diminished steadily over the years. Also Read: CSK bag most-expensive uncapped Indians Kartik, Prashant for ₹14.2 cr each in IPL 2026 auction Apart from wicketkeeping and captaincy setup, the impact of the substitute rule has further narrowed his function, reducing him to a late-order batter who walks in to face a handful of deliveries and attempts to maximise. It has worked on occasion, but the inconsistency of that role has only added to the scrutiny surrounding his place in the eleven.