Ravi Ashwin confirms MS Dhoni’s batting position for CSK in IPL 2026

MS Dhoni may bat higher up the order in the forthcoming IPL 2026 season, according to former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who rejected rumors that the captain of the Chennai Super Kings could only play at No. 8 or No. 9.

Ashwin's comments followed the social media virality of pictures and videos of Dhoni preparing for the upcoming season.  

During the challenging IPL 2025 season, Dhoni scored less than 200 runs with an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17 in 14 games. There were questions about his role this year because he frequently came in late, usually after the sixth or seventh wicket fell.

The five-time winners, CSK, finished at the bottom of the standings last season, coinciding with Dhoni's troubles. 

Ashwin didn't take long to share his opinion about Dhoni's likely batting position. He believed that instead of batting down the order, Dhoni might possibly start at No. 3 and make the most of the powerplay.

“Dhoni looks set to play as he has already started practicing. He's looking fit. Some said he may not play in the XI or this might be his last season. But it looks like he got motivated seeing Imran Tahir. Looking at him, it doesn't look like he'll bat at No. 9. He looks like he'll come out to bat at No. 3 in the powerplay and be the enforcer, the way he has begun practice," shared Ashwin in a video on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin, who ended his IPL career after a poor IPL 2025 season, also shared his views on CSK’s batting line up. CSK has significantly altered its roster, including a huge transaction that acquired Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals in return for Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja. He pointed out that other teams might find it difficult to limit the Men in Yellow to a 200-run total.

"They've scouted very well and boast a powerhouse of a batting lineup. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Karthik Sharma and Prashant Veer is a batting lineup, barring the inexperience in the last two, you ask how are teams going to stop this batting lineup? Even a 200 becomes really difficult for teams to stop CSK to," he added.

CSK have missed the playoffs in the last two seasons following their 2023 title run.

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