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 analyzed Chennai Super Kings’ strategy, squad overhaul and evolving leadership dynamics ahead of TATA IPL 2026.

Speaking on ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, JioStar expert Anil Kumble commented on CSK’s possible fielding XI: “This is a complete shift from CSK’s usual practice of backing experienced players, whether Indian or overseas, over unlimited talent. In the past, they had unlimited players who stayed in the squad for multiple seasons but did not always get opportunities. This time, they have completely revamped that approach. The pressure will definitely be on the skipper. Ruturaj Gaikwad is at the top of the order, with an experienced batsman like Sanju Samson at the top of the order.” “He will have to lead from the front. These two, along with MS Dhoni, will have to play a key role in managing the middle. If he does well in the IPL, you can get 200 or 250 points. This is where games can change quickly. However, there are a lot of high-quality young prospects 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 will change dramatically as this transition has been going on for a while now. Ever since the captaincy reverted to him from Ravindra Jadeja, you could see him slowly shifting responsibility every year. With every season, more responsibility is shifting towards Ruturaj Gaikwad. When you look at this squad now, it really feels like it is for Dhoni to leave.” “This is the right time because most of these players were literally kids when they first started playing in the IPL. From here, CSK will have to identify a core from this group and move forward.”

Speaking on ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, JioStar expert Abhinav Mukund commented on the scale of change that CSK has made: “I think CSK have built a pretty solid side. Their retention before was always based on what worked for them in the past, but now that’s all out of the window. For 2026, it’s almost like a 30% investment in wicket-keepers. There’s one in every decade now – one in their teens, one in their 20s.” age, one in his 30s and one in his 40s. On a serious note, think about the number of meetings they had to go through before coming to these decisions, because this is an old franchise built on one system, one belief and strong player loyalty. Now, there are players who have never experienced this system and are coming to this system for the first time. This is a change in approach from CSK. “It’s not like the CSK team we were in. This is a very different CSK team.”

Speaking on ‘TATA IPL Auction Review’, CSK newcomer Kartik Sharma commented about joining CSK for ₹14.20 crore: “First of all, a special thank you to all my family members and friends, I don’t think I would have reached this stage without their support. My entire family is very happy, everyone is celebrating and dancing. I am extremely excited to play alongside Mahendra Singh Dhoni and learn from him. When the bidding started, I too But as the bidding kept increasing I started crying. Even after I finished it I couldn’t stop, I was so overflowing with emotion and happiness, I honestly don’t know how to put it into words.