One of the pressing issues for Chennai Super Kings in the 2026 Indian Premier League season was MS Dhoni’s role. Will he play or not? If he plays, will he be an impact sub or a regular player, especially following another season where CSK failed to reach the playoffs? A former cricketer of the franchise confirmed that Dhoni did not want to play as an impact player.

“He has personally told me that he won’t play as an Impact Player. He sees himself as a full-time keeper, and that means he has to be on the field for the full 20 overs. So he won’t play as an Impact Player, but I feel if he does, it’ll tactically benefit CSK. His body cannot withstand long durations, which even Fleming has said. He is only going to bat after the 16th over and keep wickets. When his participation is so less, he would be ideal as an Impact Player,” Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.

Badrinath also questioned the role of the impact player, which prevented Shivam Dube from bowling as much during the season.

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“Shivam Dube bowling for India but not for CSK is not because of the Impact Player rule. It has to do with the CSK management and their lack of usage of Dube with the ball. Why are they using him as an Impact Player? The rule cannot be blamed,” said Badrinath

Additionally, Badrinath urged that CSK should start Akeal Hosein in the playing XI instead of using him as an impact sub.

“Akeal Hosein should be a certainty in the playing 11. But CSK keeps him as an Impact Player, and then when they bat poorly, they end up using an extra batter as an Impact Player. Because of this, Akeal Hosein ends up not playing. That’s just foolishness. You can’t blame the rule for your own foolishness.”