 "Pollock says CSK don't need Dhoni in IPL 2026, Gilchrist says MS is 'above hall of fame'")
South African legend Shaun Pollock feels the time has come for MS Dhoni to bid goodbye to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) became the first team to be knocked out of the 2025 season on Wednesday. Australian Adam Gilchrist feels it take a long time to find another player like Dhoni who has had a massive impact on the growth of CSK and IPL.
Dhoni’s CSK were eliminated from IPL 2025 after losing by four wickets to Punjab Kings (PBKS). This was CSK’s fifth loss at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in IPL 2025 and also the first time the franchises has lost five games at home in a season. It’s also the first time that CSK have missed the IPL playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
Pollock says CSK doesn’t need Dhoni in IPL 2026
Pollock hailed Dhoni’s impact on CSK as the skipper has helped them win five titles and said that the past success has given him a free hand at Chennai, however, the franchise doesn’t need him anymore.
“(Ruturaj) Gaikwad is injured, so he has been required to step into the captaincy role. He has nothing more to achieve,” Pollock told Cricbuzz. “It’s going to be down to what he wants. Because of the legacy he has created and the impact he has had on that franchise, they have kind of given him free rein to be the one who makes the call.
“Would that change? Are the owners going to have a word with him? We don’t know. We are trying to predict it for so long but we can’t get to the bottom of it. I will be very surprised if he’s there next year.”
Gilchris says Dhoni is ‘above hall of fame’
Fellow panellist and legendary wicketkeeper-batter Gilchrist said that while Dhoni may keep everyone guessing about his retirement from IPL, his impact on the growth of the league and CSK is unparalleled.
“For the first time, it’s two years in a row that he has not been in the final. He has been in 11 finals in these 17 previous years. He is an icon. He is hall of fame, even above hall of fame, has set the standards for everyone who wants to try to get into the hall of fame through this particular format and this tournament,” Gilchrist said.
“It will be a long while since a single player has had such an impact on the building and legacy of IPL cricket. Whatever does happen and there’s a lot of time to speculate. Knowing the way he goes about it he may not say anything and keeps us getting until the next IPL.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsCSK are at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table with just two wins from 10 matches. They have four matches to improve their standings, as they have never finished at the bottom of the league phase.
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