It Genuinely Feels Like The Right Time For Dhoni To Step Away : Robin Uthappa

Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, JioStar experts Anil Kumble, Robin Uthappa and Abhinav Mukund analysed Chennai Super Kings’ strategy, squad overhaul and the evolving leadership dynamics ahead of the TATA IPL 2026. 

Speaking on ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, JioStar expert Anil Kumble commented on CSK’s probable playing XI: “This is a total shift from CSK’s usual practice of backing seasoned players, whether Indian or overseas, rather than uncapped talent. In the past, there were uncapped players in the squad who stayed for multiple seasons but didn’t always get opportunities. This time, they’ve completely revamped that approach. The pressure will certainly be on the captain. Ruturaj Gaikwad will have to lead from the front, along with an experienced batter like Sanju Samson at the top of the order. These two will need to steady the ship early on. Someone like Shivam Dube will be key in managing the middle overs, along with MS Dhoni. It won’t be easy; this is a young group. In the IPL, if it comes off, you could be scoring 200 or 250. But if it doesn’t, you could be 40 for five, and that’s where games can change quickly. That said, there is a lot of high-quality young potential in this squad.”

Speaking on ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, JioStar expert Robin Uthappa commented on MS Dhoni’s evolving role at CSK: “I don’t think his role changes dramatically because this transition has been ongoing for a while. Ever since the captaincy returned to him from Ravindra Jadeja, you could see that he’s been gradually shifting responsibility year after year. Each season, more responsibility has moved towards Ruturaj Gaikwad. When you look at this squad now, it genuinely feels like the right time for Dhoni to step away, because many of these players were literally kids when he first started playing the IPL. From here, CSK will need to identify a core from within this group and build forward.”

Speaking on ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, JioStar expert Abhinav Mukund commented on the scale of change CSK have undertaken: “I think CSK have put together a pretty solid side. Their retentions earlier were always based on what had worked for them in the past, but now everything is out of the window. For 2026, it’s almost like a 30% investment in wicketkeepers. They now have one from every decade — one in his teens, one in his 20s, one in his 30s and one in his 40s. On a serious note, this is a complete reset for CSK. Just imagine the number of meetings they must have had before arriving at these decisions, because this is a legacy franchise built on one system, one belief, and strong player loyalty. Every player who has represented CSK has spoken about how much they love the environment. Now, there are players who have never experienced that system and are coming into it for the first time. This is a huge shift, a tectonic shift in CSK’s approach. This doesn’t look like the CSK team we’re used to seeing, with overseas openers, an international all-rounder in the middle, and a tall overseas fast bowler from Australia or South Africa. This is a very different CSK side.”

Speaking on ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, CSK’s new addition Kartik Sharma commented on joining CSK for ₹14.20 crore: “First of all, a special thank you to all my family members & friends, without their support, I don’t think I would have reached this stage. My entire family is very happy, everyone is celebrating and dancing. I’m extremely excited to play alongside Mahendra Singh Dhoni and learn from him. When the bidding started, I was scared I might miss out. But as the bid kept going up, I started crying. Even after it ended, I couldn’t stop. I was overwhelmed with emotion and happiness, I honestly don’t know how to put it into words.”