Heinrich Klaasen drops blunt take on MS Dhoni’s role in CSK amid IPL 2026
Published - 07 Apr 2026, 05:26 PM | Updated - 07 Apr 2026, 06:21 PM
MS Dhoni is yet to play his first match for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2026. Because of a calf strain, he remains on the sideline only as a spectator to witness the team losing three matches in a row. They will face the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 18, after taking on the Delhi Capitals and the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 11 and April 14, respectively.
Before the match between the CSK and the Sunrisers Hyderabad, there are 11 more days to go. In the meantime, SRH is scheduled to face the Punjab Kings (April 11) and the Rajasthan Royals (April 13). With plenty of days in hand, SRH has already started to calculate about their upcoming game against the five-time IPL winners, CSK.
Will MS Dhoni play against the Sunrisers Hyderabad
When MS Dhoni will make his return with the Yellow brigade is still unknown. According to the latest reports, the legendary keeper-batter will go for a scan ahead of their clash against the Delhi Capitals. While the CSK fans are hoping to see the icon in action, SRH star Heinrich Klassen is not bothered at all about Dhoni.
The South African batter, who is in good touch with the Hyderabad-based franchise, said that whether MS Dhoni will play against them will not matter the most. Klassen believes that if MS Dhoni goes to feature against them, then the 44-year-old will not play more than 5 to 10 balls.
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Heinrich Klassen made a huge verdict on Dhoni
"CSK has got an incredible IPL record. Even with Dhoni not being there, they are not much of a lesser side. They are a very strong side. It's not going to be an easy game. They are always a good, challenging side,” Klaasen told PTI.
"Dhoni not there doesn't really make much of a difference, it is more about the other guys. With Dhoni not there I think the crowd will be a little bit quieter. I don't think his absence will make such a big impact except for his leadership. He has been coming to bat for just 5-10 balls in the last few years," he further opined.
In the last couple of seasons, the former captain pushed himself deeper in the batting line-up. In the 2024 season, MS Dhoni amassed 161 runs from 11 innings at an average of 53.66 and a massive strike rate of 220.54. In the following season, his stats dropped drastically as he managed to score 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17.
Klassen paid respect to the CSK batting unit
Despite the underwhelming performance of the Chennai Super Kings, Heinrich Klassen praised the opposing team's batting unit as there are multiple talented and explosive batters in their arsenal.
"Shivam (Dube) is in good form, their two openers (Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad) are also fantastic, we just need to squeeze them a bit more," the SRH batter said.
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