Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has said that MS Dhoni’s retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) would be a massive blow to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise. Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Clarke also mentioned Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, believing all three icons should continue playing IPL in 2026.
RCB Win IPL 2025; Mixed Seasons for MI and CSK
The 2025 IPL season ended on a historic note with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) winning their first-ever title after 18 years. They defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in a thrilling final. Kohli played a key role in RCB’s campaign and ended the tournament as one of the top run-getters.
Mumbai Indians (MI) also had a strong season under Hardik Pandya’s captaincy, reaching the playoffs. Rohit Sharma scored four half-centuries, including a standout knock in the Eliminator.
On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a disappointing campaign, finishing last. MS Dhoni returned as captain mid-season after an injury to Ruturaj Gaikwad but couldn’t turn the team’s form around.
Clarke’s Views on Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit
Michael Clarke strongly emphasized that Dhoni is still vital to CSK’s brand, stating:
“Every time Chennai plays, even in away games, there are more Chennai fans than any other fan. Sponsors and fans are there because of Dhoni.”
He added that losing Dhoni would be a huge loss, not just for CSK but for the IPL as a whole. Clarke also noted that Kohli and Rohit, who both retired from Test cricket recently, are still major draws in T20s and should continue in the IPL.
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