Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin stated MS Dhoni will bat at No. 3 within the powerplay for Chennai Tremendous Kings in IPL 2026. Ashwin made this prediction on January 25, 2026, whereas talking about Dhoni’s coaching periods on the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi.
Ashwin performed alongside Dhoni at CSK for a number of years. He stated Dhoni seems to be match and prepared after watching him follow. CSK completed final in IPL 2025 with solely 8 factors, their worst efficiency ever.
Ashwin’s Prediction and Why It Issues
Ashwin stated Dhoni is not going to sit at No. 9 this season. He thinks Dhoni will bat at No. 3 through the powerplay and assault from the beginning. It is a large change from his typical ending function.
In response to the previous cricketer, Dhoni received impressed by watching Imran Tahir keep match at an older age. He added that Dhoni has began follow already and appears sharp. Ashwin believes CSK has constructed a batting lineup that may rating 200 runs simply if everybody performs.
Ashwin will not be guessing. He is aware of Dhoni from their CSK days collectively. When he talks about Dhoni, it comes from inside data. He understands how CSK plans and the way Dhoni thinks. Ashwin retired from IPL in August 2025, however his phrases carry weight as a result of he is aware of the crew’s fashion.
Recommended Learn: Be taught extra about Dhoni’s greatest IPL knocks and the way he modified video games through the years.
Why CSK Wants This Change
CSK had their worst season final 12 months. They completed on the backside for the primary time in IPL historical past. Their powerplay batting failed repeatedly, they usually couldn’t publish large totals. The crew wanted an skilled participant to manage the early overs.
Dhoni scored 196 runs in 13 innings final season with a strike fee of 135. He batted too low and got here in too late to vary video games. Bringing him as much as No. 3 may repair CSK’s powerplay issues. Dhoni has batted at No. 3 eight occasions in IPL earlier than. He final did it in 2022 and scored 196 runs with a strike fee of 124.
No. 3 is harder than ending. The ball is new, and the bowlers are recent. Dhoni must deal with tempo and bounce early. His health routine exhibits he has been working exhausting to remain prepared.
CSK’s New Batting Lineup
CSK traded for Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals. They gave up Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to get him. Samson bats within the prime order and might preserve wickets too. CSK spent ₹14.2 crore every on two uncapped gamers, Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer. In addition they signed Matt Henry for ₹2 crore and Rahul Chahar for ₹5.2 crore.
The batting lineup now has Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, and Shivam Dube. Gaikwad will doubtless preserve opening. If Dhoni bats No. 3, he is available in after one wicket falls. Having Dhoni after Gaikwad takes stress off if early wickets go down.
CSK paid big quantities for uncapped expertise, however they know younger gamers battle beneath stress. Having Dhoni bat early provides them a protected choice when wickets fall. The Samson commerce was costly however crucial after final season’s failures.
The Problem Forward
Dhoni will flip 45 throughout IPL 2026. Batting within the powerplay at that age is dangerous. Bowlers are quicker and extra aggressive early on. The previous captain spent years perfecting the ending function, and altering now may go mistaken.
His strike fee was 135 final season. At No. 3, he wants to attain quicker than that. If he will get caught, CSK loses momentum. Operating between wickets will get tougher at his age, too. However Dhoni reads bowlers properly and rotates strike higher than youthful gamers. Among the many world’s finest finishers, Dhoni nonetheless stands out even when ending and powerplay batting are totally different jobs.
CSK followers are excited after listening to Ashwin’s phrases. Many suppose Dhoni can nonetheless carry out anyplace within the order. Followers bear in mind his finest innings got here when he batted greater up. If he will get 10 to fifteen balls within the energy play, he may set the tone for CSK.
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