Why Is Sanjay Manjrekar Telling Chennai Super Kings to Get Over Their MS Dhoni Obsession?

Former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar didn’t hold back when talking about Chennai Super Kings’ messy IPL 2026 season, bluntly stating that “it doesn’t matter” if MS Dhoni plays or not anymore. Speaking on a sports podcast, Manjrekar admitted he is completely exhausted by the endless retirement drama and speculation surrounding the 44-year-old icon. He criticized the team management for prioritizing emotional sentiment over on-field reality, arguing that trying to fit an aging, injury-prone Dhoni into the squad has severely disrupted the team’s balance, performance, and current standings on the points table.

​While Manjrekar made it clear that his respect for Dhoni’s legendary prime and India captaincy remains untouched, he pointed out that the current version of the superstar is just a shadow of his former self. Dhoni has missed games this season due to persistent calf and muscle injuries, but his shadow still heavily dominates the dressing room, which Manjrekar believes is hurting Ruturaj Gaikwad’s ability to lead freely. Urging the franchise to stop living in the past and focusing on a player who only comes out to face three or four balls, he warned that CSK needs to focus strictly on modern T20 realities and current performances if they want to win.