‘No one can keep Dhoni on the sidelines’: Former CSK star’s bold claims on dressing room realities

former indian batsman Subramaniam Badrinath Believe this for chennai super kings Team management leaves MS Dhoni Left out of the eleven for the upcoming Indian Premier League.Dhoni Set to return to the Chennai Super Kings in 2026, team CEO Kasi Viswanath has confirmed that the veteran will feature throughout the tournament. However, his exact role in the game has yet to be finalized. According to Viswanath, the decision will be taken by the team management, who will decide whether Dhoni will be a wicketkeeper or an impact player depending on the match situation.The 44-year-old had a relatively quiet season in 2019. intense pulsed light In the 2025 season, he scored 196 points in 14 games. Batting mainly lower in the order, Dhoni averaged 24.50 and maintained a strike rate of 135.17, while often coming on to provide quick runs at the end of the innings.Despite the doubts over his role, Badrinath believes it will be almost impossible for the management to keep him on the bench given the stature of the legendary skipper in the team. The former CSK batsman said on his YouTube channel that even head coach Stephen Fleming might not be able to take such a decision.“I don’t know if it was an executive decision or not, he (CSK CEO) said that he (Dhoni) is ready to play all the games. He said he will support the cricket decision and stop. Now, Fleming will tell Dhoni that you are not playing this game and we will drop you. I don’t think Fleming has a chance at all. How will he go and tell Dhoni that you are dropped? I really feel it is impossible,” Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.Badrinath further highlighted the level of respect for Dhoni within the CSK dressing room. According to him, it would be difficult for any member of the coaching staff to suggest that the former India captain should sit out or be a mere substitute.“I don’t think any support staff in the world, not even Fleming, can tell Dhoni that you are an impactful player or that you are not playing in this game. There is no chance. We can assume that he will play in all games,” he added.