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NEW DELHI: The future of MS Dhoni in the IPL remains one of cricket’s biggest talking points, and Chennai Super Kings bowling coach Eric Simons has now made it clear that only the legendary former captain himself will decide whether he returns next season.Speaking after CSK’s final league game against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, Simons revealed that the 44-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is still striking the ball brilliantly in the nets despite struggling with a leg injury that ruled him out of IPL 2026 action.“Are you seriously asking me that question? We always are,” Simons said when asked whether CSK were hopeful of Dhoni’s return next year.“He has hit the ball so well. He obviously had a leg injury, which made it very difficult for him to run, so that’s why he couldn’t play,” he said.‘He’s hitting it as well as I’ve ever seen’Even though Dhoni did not feature in a single match this season, Simons insisted the veteran’s power-hitting remains as sharp as ever.“But in terms of hitting the ball in the nets, he’s hitting it as well as I’ve ever seen him hit it,” the former South Africa all-rounder said.The comments are likely to excite CSK fans, many of whom continue to hope that Dhoni has one final IPL season left in him after missing the entire 2026 campaign due to fitness concerns.Simons, however, stressed that Dhoni would only return if he genuinely felt capable of contributing fully to the team.“But I keep saying this, only MS will know, and MS will make the decision about when he’s ready and when he’s right,” he added.‘He won’t play if he feels he’s not ready’According to Simons, Dhoni’s decision will never be driven by emotion or personal milestones.“And I tell you what, if he knows he’s not, he won’t play. But if he is right, he will,” Simons said. “He’ll make the decision in the best interest of the team and not for himself as an individual.”Despite not playing this season, Dhoni remained closely involved with the squad throughout the campaign, continuing to mentor younger players inside the CSK setup.“But it will be great to have him playing. It’s been great just having him around the unit and being someone to tap into for knowledge and calmness,” Simons added.Dhoni’s absence was felt heavily during a disappointing IPL 2026 campaign for CSK, who crashed out of playoff contention after suffering their biggest-ever defeat in IPL history against Gujarat Titans.
