"He cannot leave that yellow jersey" - Former RCB batter's stunning take on MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2026 retention deadline

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Mohammad Kaif believes MS Dhoni will remain with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) even after he bids adieu to the IPL. His remarks came ahead of the IPL 2026 retention deadline set for November 15.

Speaking on his YouTube channel on Tuesday, November 11, the 44-year-old said that while Dhoni may not return as a player after the 2026 edition, he will definitely continue to be part of CSK, whether as a mentor, coach, or director. Kaif said:

“Look, after this season, Dhoni might not be seen there as a player or as a captain, but as a mentor, we will definitely see him 100%. He cannot leave that yellow jersey, you can write that down. The yellow jersey that became world famous, who was the reason behind it? Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Right? So, as long as that yellow jersey exists, Dhoni will have to be associated with it.” “Even if he retires from the IPL, he can take on the role of a coach, mentor, or director and continue to run the team. In any case, he already runs the team. Fleming is the coach, there are others too, but all the major decisions, from options to which players to pick and how much money to spend on whom, Dhoni has a say in all of it. Even in Sanju Samson’s deal, Dhoni’s approval was there; only then did it happen,” he added.

MS Dhoni has played 278 IPL matches, scoring 5,439 runs at an average of 38.30 with a strike rate of 137.45, including 24 half-centuries.

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“He doesn’t come out in public” - Mohammad Kaif praises MS Dhoni’s low-profile approach

During the same conversation, Mohammad Kaif noted that MS Dhoni maintains a low profile and never seeks credit, often doing good for others quietly and selflessly. Praising the former India skipper, Kaif said:

“He doesn’t come out in public. The man roams around Ranchi on his bike, stays very low profile, and never claims credit by saying I made this happen. That’s the special thing about Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he does good for others silently, without ever showing it. So yes, in Sanju Samson’s case, Dhoni had a major role, but it won’t become public knowledge.” “There won’t be any media statement about it. The media people will keep guessing, saying Dhoni might have done it, guesswork. But from what we have seen, understood, and known of Dhoni, he’s not the kind of person who talks about it. He quietly does his work,” he added.

MS Dhoni is among the most successful IPL captains, having led CSK to five titles.

Edited by Dev Sharma