Ravichandran Ashwin, a former player for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has made a bold prediction regarding Mahendra Singh Dhoni's participation in the ongoing IPL 2026 season. Ashwin stated that Dhoni will only play if CSK is eliminated from the playoff race. Currently, CSK is in sixth place on the points table, having secured 6 points from 8 matches. To qualify for the playoffs, the team must win five of their remaining six matches. Dhoni, who has been sidelined due to injury, has not played any matches this season. In his absence, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has performed well, scoring two unbeaten centuries. CSK's next match is against their arch-rivals, the Mumbai Indians, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The first clash between the two teams this season saw CSK achieve a significant victory, winning by 103 runs.