New Delhi, March 21 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has predicted that IPL 2026 could mark the end of MS Dhoni's illustrious career with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He emphasized that the five-time champions should maintain Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain rather than opting for Sanju Samson. At 44, the seasoned wicketkeeper-batter Dhoni will be participating in his 19th IPL season. Uthappa stated, “Handing over leadership to Samson isn’t the right move. Ruturaj Gaikwad needs the opportunity to establish himself as a captain, having been at the helm since 2024. He is emerging from the shadow of MS Dhoni.

“It’s crucial for him to step into the spotlight and demonstrate his capabilities. You want him to lead the team independently, without the pressure of always being compared to Dhoni. Therefore, we may observe Dhoni taking a more supportive role this year.”

“IPL 2026 is expected to be his final season in the yellow jersey. I anticipate him adopting a mentor-cum-player role, batting lower in the order. It’s clear he’s gradually easing out of active play.”

“This transition is essential for revealing Ruturaj Gaikwad's true potential as a captain. With a few years of experience, if it doesn’t pan out, Sanju Samson remains an option for captaincy,” Uthappa remarked during an interview on JioStar.

Uthappa also expressed skepticism regarding the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) chances this season, suggesting that their aggressive batting style may falter without a robust bowling lineup. SRH faces challenges with injuries to their regular captain Pat Cummins and Eshan Malinga, both of whom are expected to miss the start of the tournament.

Under the leadership of Ishan Kishan, SRH will kick off their IPL 2026 journey against the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28. “While SRH's aggressive batting is thrilling, it won't suffice for an IPL victory without solid bowling. Their bowling unit appears weak. Bowlers are vital for securing the trophy. The pitches in Hyderabad are batting-friendly, presenting a challenge for bowlers,” he added.

“Even a bowler like Mohammed Shami struggles on these flat wickets. A bowler with the finesse of Bhuvneshwar Kumar is needed, given his ability to swing the ball and bowl effectively under those conditions. At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, it’s best not to rely on pace, as the ball doesn’t seam much.”

“Currently, I don’t believe SRH has the bowling strength to support their unstable batting lineup if their top-order underperforms. Last season illustrated this, where apart from Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Heinrich Klaasen, no other batsman stepped up. When the top order faltered, the bowlers couldn’t defend totals. Thus, I wouldn’t categorize SRH as serious title contenders this season,” he concluded.