Bolivian riot police clashed with anti-government protesters in La Paz on Friday (May 22, 2026) for the second time in a week as unions and Indigenous groups pressed their calls for President Rodrigo Paz to step down. Demands for the business-friendly conservative to resign have persisted despite
A fire broke out at an oil depot in the southern Russian port of Novorossiysk following a Ukrainian drone attack, the city's mayor said on Saturday (May 23, 2026). "As a result of falling UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) debris, a fire broke out at the oil depot
A newt dawn: Wknd talks to Whitley awardee Barkha Subba about her fight for salamandersThey walked among the dinosaurs. Now, they are in danger. There may be only 5,000 Himalayan salamanders left in the wild in India, Subba says. Published on: May 23
Indian woman praises China’s cleanliness, questions civic sense in India: ‘You won’t find a single wrapper’An Indian woman said China’s cleanliness proved civic sense mattered more than population. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:03 PM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link An
Nita Ambani left in splits as student slips Mumbai Indians joke into DAIS graduation speechA Mumbai Indians joke cracked by the head boy of the DAIS' 2026 graduating class left the entire auditorium, including Nita Ambani, laughing. Published on: May 23
MS Dhoni’s Final IPL Secret? Ex-CSK Star's Bold Claim Sparks Buzz
MS Dhoni’s Final IPL Secret? Ex-CSK Star's Mysterious Claim Sparks Debate : 'Definitely Won’t Play'
Badrinath further stated that Dhoni's presence on the field remains crucial for CSK's morale and strategy.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans have every reason to be excited as franchise CEO Kasi Viswanath has officially confirmed that MS Dhoni will return for IPL 2026. However, a major question still looms in what role will the legendary captain feature for the five-time champions in what could be his final season?
While speculation grows around Dhoni possibly taking up the role of an ‘Impact Player,' former CSK batter S. Badrinath believes otherwise.
“MS Dhoni definitely won't play as an impact player,” Badrinath told Star Sports. “If he plays, he will feature as a keeper. The main reason for Dhoni playing is he needs to be out there at Chepauk. As an impact player, he might come out to bat only in the final two overs and we don't know if he even gets to bat in that case. I don't think that's going to happen, that's my observation, knowing CSK and Dhoni.”
Add Zee News as a Preferred Source
ALSO READ - IPL 2026 Captains: Ravindra Jadeja To Lead RR, KL Rahul To Captain KKR, Know Predicted Captains For MI, CSK, RR, PBKS, SRH, RCB, KKR, DC, LSG, GT
Badrinath Confident Dhoni Will Be On-Field as Keeper
Badrinath further stated that Dhoni's presence on the field remains crucial for CSK's morale and strategy, even if he doesn't play every match of the season.
“He might not even play the full season but he will be there as a wicketkeeper, not sure as captain. But he will definitely be on the field. It will not happen that Dhoni is off the field and leaves someone like Sanju Samson to keep wickets. He will take this decision and speak to Sanju Samson,” he added.
Sanju Samson–Ravindra Jadeja Trade Talks Intensify
Amid Dhoni's return discussion, the IPL 2026 trade window is heating up with reports suggesting a potential blockbuster deal between CSK and Rajasthan Royals (RR). According to multiple reports, Sanju Samson could be heading to Chennai Super Kings, while Ravindra Jadeja may move to Rajasthan Royals.
However, the negotiation has hit a snag due to the involvement of a third player ; England all-rounder Sam Curran, who is rumored to be part of the proposed swap deal. RR's overseas quota is already full, forcing the franchise to release one foreign player to accommodate Curran.
Adding to the complexity is a massive financial gap. RR's remaining purse stands at just ₹30 lakh, whereas Curran's contract value is ₹2.4 crore, as per his previous signing with CSK. This financial constraint, coupled with squad limitations, has reportedly slowed down the trade progress.
Dhoni's Final Chapter?
With Dhoni's participation in IPL 2026 confirmed, fans eagerly await to see whether this season will mark the end of an illustrious era. Badrinath's comments suggest that Dhoni's farewell won't come from the dugout but from behind the stumps, where he's ruled for over a decade.
As the trade talks continue and CSK's lineup evolves, one thing is certain MS Dhoni will once again take center stage at Chepauk, leading from the front in spirit, if not as captain.
Source: ZeeNews
Related Posts: Badrinath Dham opening big update Uttarakhand govt appoints PCS Sohan Singh as CEO of Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Non-Hindus to be barred from entering Badrinath Actor Rajinikanth visits Badrinath Dham Rajinikanth Visits Badrinath Dham Enumerators will record religion as stated by respondent Except Trump, nobody has stated India's refusal to buy Russian oil Taiwan seeks bigger tech presence in India as U The late Giorgio Armani's presence is felt in his final Emporio Armani collection Gujarat govt orders probe to check presence of harmful ingredients in cough syrups
Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who switched from the AAP to the BJP recently, has been appointed as the new chairman of the Committee on Petitions of the Upper House. After reconstituting the Committee on Petitions, Rajya Sabha chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan nominated 10 members of the house to the
1 days ago
Mumbai, India’s gold demand is expected to contract by 50-60 tonnes this calendar year, around 10 per cent lower than the previous year, following the import duty hike, according to the World Gold Council (WGC). “Looking at 2026 as a whole, we estimate that combined jewellery and bar and coin
1 days ago
India has issued a heightened health advisory for travellers arriving from several African nations after a fresh Ebola outbreak triggered global concern and prompted stricter surveillance measures worldwide. In response to a fresh Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo
1 days ago
Elon Musk is going all-in on an unproven technologyWhat lies behind the world’s biggest public offering Published on: May 23, 2026 2:24 PM IST The Economist Share via Copy link IT IS A launch of a more bureaucratic sort than normal for SpaceX, but still characteristically spectacular. On May 20th
1 days ago
Fisherman M Yuvaraj bustles about his fibreboat, filling fuel in the engine, and checking if everything is in order. He even throws in an umbrella in case it rains. It is almost 4pm when he pushes his boat close to the bank of Pulicat lake. The 57-year-old is not setting out on a fishing trip
1 days ago
Kerala HM announces 'Operation Toofan' anti-narcotics campaignKerala HM announces 'Operation Toofan' anti-narcotics campaign Published on: May 23, 2026 2:24 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday announced a comprehensive statewide
1 days ago
Mamata’s Lakshmir Bhandar gave Bengal women Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,700 a month based on category. Adhikari’s Annapurna Yojana scraps the categories and doubles it to a flat Rs 3,000. Bengal has a new scheme that is putting real money directly into women’s hands every month — and it is bigger than
1 days ago
Leadership in Civil Engineering and Construction Management is not born in air-conditioned classrooms. It is shaped under the open sky, amid dust, deadlines, drawings, and decisions. For students aspiring to become civil engineers and construction managers
1 days ago
French Open crisis deepens as top stars limit media duties in coordinated protest over revenue splitWomen's singles defending champion Coco Gauff answered only 10 questions in her pre-tournament press conference. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:32 PM IST Written by Neelav Chakravarti Share via Copy
1 days ago
Chopper crash near Leh: Injured major general poses, pilot flashes 'victory' sign in viral selfieAn Army Cheetah chopper crashed near Leh in eastern Ladakh last week. An image from the crash site is now viral. Updated on: May 23, 2026 2:36 PM IST By Rahul Singh Share via Copy link Three days after
1 days ago
Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals face off in a crucial IPL clash, with playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Both teams need a win, but their fate also depends on other results. KKR's strong recovery contrasts with DC's reliance on KL Rahul
1 days ago
Some of the most useful lessons I learnt as a young restaurateur came from New York restaurateur Danny Meyer’s book Setting the Table. He writes beautifully about the guest who comes in alone. Most diners come in with an agenda — to impress a date, close a deal
1 days ago
The Union government told the Supreme Court on Friday that 217 Indian nationals had joined the Russian military during the war in Ukraine, of whom 139 have been released from their contractual agreements, The Hindu reported. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told a bench headed by Chief
1 days ago
Hamza Burhan, a key operative linked to the Pakistan-backed terror outfit Al-Badr, who also worked as an Over Ground Worker (OGW) during the Pulwama terror attack period, was killed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Thursday. Several wanted Pakistan-based terrorists
1 days ago
Nothing says summer quite like a chilled, fruity mocktail. As temperatures continue to rise, refreshing drinks packed with tropical flavours, citrusy notes, and vibrant ingredients are becoming the perfect way to cool down. Whether you are hosting a weekend brunch, planning a house party
1 days ago
Producer Vashu Bhagnani has lashed out at David Dhawan and his actor-son Varun Dhawan. On Friday, Vashu held a press conference in Mumbai and claimed that the storyline of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is similar to Biwi No.1. Released in 1999
1 days ago
Hyderabad, May 23 (PTI) A lawyer died after being hit by a car outside his residence here in a suspected case of pre-planned murder, police said on Saturday. The 63-year-old victim was about to get into his car when the car hit him at his residence at Masab Tank here.Hyderabad
1 days ago
Raghav Chadha has been appointed the new chairman of the Committee on Petitions in the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha chairman reconstituted the committee and nominated ten members. This appointment takes effect from May 20, 2026. Dr. Menaka Guruswamy has also been nominated to the Joint Committee on
1 days ago
Formula 1’s silly season has arrived early, and we have Red Bull Racing boss Laurent Mekies to thank for it. The Frenchman doubled down on his explosive claim that Max Verstappen’s long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is heading to McLaren to eventually become team principal
1 days ago
The blue-collar town that’s set to decide Britain’s next Prime MinisterLabour left-winger Andy Burnham wants to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. First, he must convince the Makerfield voters and fend off Reform UK. Published on: May 23
1 days ago
Human beings are not just shaped by their actions, but they are also creatures of circumstance. This is especially true in the sporting world, where athletes’ performance not only depends on their quality but also on who the rivals are, their prevailing standards of excellence and the setting in
1 days ago
Do you have greasy flakes on nose and scalp? Dermatologist explains what you are doing wrongSeborrheic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that manifests in the form of greasy flakes on the nose and scalp. Dr Abigail Waldman shares what to do. Updated on: May 23
1 days ago
Investors just can’t get enough of stocks these daysWar, inflation and worries about the AI boom haven’t kept stocks from setting records. Published on: May 23, 2026 2:27 PM IST WSJ Share via Copy link Investors just can’t get enough of stocks these days
1 days ago
Fuel prices have surged for the third time in eight days. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticizes the government, accusing it of "looting" citizens. He highlights international examples where countries provided relief. India's petrol and diesel prices have increased by nearly Rs 5 per litre
1 days ago
Ballia (UP), May 23 (PTI) A court here has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for murdering his wife and dumping her body in a pond in 2019 after the couple remained childless, police said on Saturday. According to the prosecution, Nepal Paswan
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Sharara sets are the ultimate festive trend for Eid al-Adha: Choose from these picks under ₹3000From pastel embroidered sets to regal Banarasi shararas
1 days ago
Tulsi Gabbard resigned as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence on Friday (May 22, 2026), saying she needed to step away as her husband battles cancer. She is the fourth Cabinet official to depart during Mr. Trump’s second term. In her resignation letter
1 days ago
