'This is clearly going to be MS Dhoni's last season' - Former India teammate makes huge claim after IPL 2026 mini-auction

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), known for backing experienced players, took a different route in the IPL 2026 mini-auction on Tuesday, December 16, as they invested heavily in youth. The five-time champions bought 19-year-old Uttar Pradesh left-arm spinner and big-hitter Prashant Veer for INR 14.2 crore. The franchise also signed 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma for INR 14.2 crore, making the duo the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian players in the history of the auction.

Last season, MS Dhoni captained CSK after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out midway through the tournament. Recently, Sanju Samson was traded in by the franchise in exchange for Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja. Robin Uthappa, who played for India and CSK alongside Dhoni, feels that the legendary wicketkeeper-batter is all set to take up a mentor's role for the Men in Yellow soon.

"I think the writing is on the wall. This is clearly going to be MS Dhoni's last season. No more conjecture, no more speculation about whether he is going to play another year or not. This year, he will be well and truly done," Uthappa told JioHotstar on Tuesday.

"I think all the signs point towards that when you look at the investment in youth and the kind of teams they have picked since last year. They are focused on developing talent, uncovering talent and keeping that talent within the franchise," he added.

CSK also acquired the services of 26-year-old leg-spinner Rahul Chahar and 28-year-old middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan.

"It's a fair call. If you can develop another Jadeja with the kind of mentorship MS Dhoni provides, along with the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad, why not? That's the direction you want to move in," Uthappa said.

We all know that if he is not playing, he (Dhoni) will be mentoring the side: Uthappa

Uthappa also stated that when Dhoni decides to hang up his boots, he will certainly be associated with CSK as their mentor.

"We all know that if he is not playing, he will be mentoring the side. I think this year he will operate as a mentor-cum-player. He is already viewing things from that perspective, which is why they are bringing in players like these," the cricketer-turned-commentator said.