Virat Kohli's teammate makes massive revelation on MS Dhoni's IPL future

Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate Swastik Chikara has made a massive revelation on the future of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) great MS Dhoni in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Swastik Chikara said that the 44-year-old MS Dhoni is still very strong and will definitely play the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

I don’t think he will retire anytime soon - Swastik Chikara

The 20-year-old Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batsman Swastik Chikara emerged as one of the popular players in IPL 2025 without playing any matches.

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Chikara, who is from Uttar Pradesh, was bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the mega auction for INR 30 lakh, and he gained a lot of fame and popularity during his maiden stint with the IPL 2025 champions.

Swastik Chikara didn't get the opportunity to play any matches, but he became popular because of his visible admiration for Virat Kohli, as he mostly hung around the India legend.

Meanwhile, speaking on the YouTube podcast with CricXtasy, Swastik Chikara said that meeting MS Dhoni was a "different feeling" altogether. He also stated that MS Dhoni will not retire anytime soon and will be seen in action again in IPL 2026. He elaborated:

“It was a completely different feeling, Thala for a reason. The reason is him, bro. I mean, he’s really a good person, I swear. Dhoni bhai is just Dhoni bhai. Yash bhaiya was also there, and he was saying, ‘You’re talking as if you’ve known him for 10 years.’”

“He’ll play, he'll play, bro (IPL 2026). That man has so much energy. He’s very strong (Bahut jaan hai uss aadmi mein). He will play for sure. I don’t think he will retire anytime soon, in my opinion. We were laughing, joking, taking photos, and having fun. The conversation was casual. He asked where I’m from, and I said I live in a village. The chat was nice and relaxed. He said, ‘Good, you’re a desi guy,’ (Desi londa hai tu),” he added.

Chennai Super Kings expect MS Dhoni to play one more season

As per a recent report in RevSportz, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise is expecting MS Dhoni to play at least one more season before he hangs up his boots.

This is because of the return of N. Srinivasan as CSK’s chairman. He shares a good rapport with Dhoni, and there is a high possibility of the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman once again stepping onto the field, with the final decision being made closer to the IPL 2026.

MS Dhoni is currently on an INR 4-crore salary with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), having been retained as an uncapped player.

In IPL 2025, Dhoni scored 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17. He also took over as the CSK skipper in the middle of the season after Ruturaj Gaikwad got injured and was ruled out. However, CSK finished at the bottom of the points table with 4 wins in 14 games.

Also Read: Ruturaj Gaikwad a victim of favoritism and bias? Colossal statement issued on India A snub

It’s completely different, on the next level - Swastik Chikara

Swastik Chikara further stated that Royal Challengers Bengaluru's matches against the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are on a different level, as the atmosphere completely changes for high-octane games. He said:

"It’s completely different, on the next level, I’m telling you. The atmosphere is just unique, both within the team and from the opposing team, and also with the fans. In Mumbai, at first, they were chanting “Mumbai, Mumbai,” and then suddenly it became “RCB, RCB,” and then back to “Mumbai, Mumbai.” It was such a different kind of fun.”