Ashwin Predicts Dhoni at No. 3 for CSK in IPL 2026

David Moore · 2026-01-26

Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin dropped a bombshell prediction recently. He said MS Dhoni will bat at No. 3 in the powerplay for Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Ashwin made this call on January 25th, 2026, after watching Dhoni's intense training sessions at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi. Now, Ashwin isn't just making a wild guess here. He played alongside Dhoni at CSK for years, so he knows the man and the team's mindset inside out. He retired from the IPL in August 2025, but his insights still carry serious weight. After watching Dhoni practice, his main takeaway was simple: Dhoni looks incredibly fit and ready to go. ### Why This Prediction is a Big Deal This isn't a minor tweak; it's a seismic shift in strategy. For years, Dhoni has been the master finisher, the cool head steering the ship in the final overs. Ashwin says that's all about to change. He believes Dhoni won't be sitting at No. 9 this season. Instead, he'll walk in at No. 3 during the powerplay and look to attack from the very first ball. Where's this coming from? Ashwin mentioned Dhoni got inspired watching someone like Imran Tahir maintain peak fitness well into his later years. It lit a fire. Dhoni has started his prep early and, by all accounts, looks sharp. Ashwin even thinks CSK has built a batting lineup capable of consistently posting 200+ scores, provided everyone clicks. ### The Desperate Need for a CSK Revival Let's be honest, last season was a disaster for the Yellow Brigade. CSK finished dead last in IPL 2025 with a mere 8 points—their worst performance in history. Their powerplay batting was a recurring nightmare, and they just couldn't put up big totals. The team was crying out for an experienced hand to take control of those crucial early overs. Look at Dhoni's numbers from 2025: 196 runs in 13 innings at a strike rate of 135. The problem? He was batting too low, coming in too late to truly influence the game. Pushing him up to No. 3 could be the exact fix for their powerplay woes. He's done it before, too—eight times in the IPL, last in 2022. But let's not sugarcoat it. Batting at No. 3 is a different beast. The ball is new and hard, the bowlers are fresh and firing. It demands handling raw pace and bounce right from the start. Dhoni's intense fitness regime suggests he's been prepping for this very challenge. ### CSK's New-Look Batting Order The team's been busy in the off-season, completely reshuffling the deck. Their biggest move? Trading for Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals, giving up Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to get him. Samson bats in the top order and can keep wicket, which is crucial. They've also splashed the cash on uncapped talent, spending ₹14.2 crore each on Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer. Other signings include Matt Henry and Rahul Chahar. So, what's the probable top order look like? - Ruturaj Gaikwad (Likely Opener) - Sanju Samson - **MS Dhoni (Predicted No. 3)** - Ayush Mhatre - Dewald Brevis - Shivam Dube If Dhoni bats at three, he comes in right after the first wicket falls. Having his calm presence follow Gaikwad immediately takes the pressure off if early wickets tumble. Investing in youth is great, but young players can crack under pressure. Dhoni up top acts as the ultimate safety net. ### The Inevitable Challenges Ahead We have to address the elephant in the room. Dhoni will turn 45 during IPL 2026. Batting in the powerplay at that age is inherently risky. Bowlers are faster and more aggressive with the new ball. He's spent over a decade perfecting the art of finishing; changing that formula now could backfire. His strike rate last season was 135. At No. 3, he'll likely need to score even faster. If he gets bogged down, CSK loses all momentum. Running between the wickets also becomes more demanding. But here's the counterpoint: Dhoni's cricket brain is second to none. He reads bowlers better than most and rotates the strike brilliantly. As one of the world's best finishers, his game intelligence translates, even if the job description changes. Ashwin's prediction has certainly set the fanbase alight. Many believe Dhoni can excel anywhere. They remember his best knocks often came when he batted higher. If he faces even 10-15 balls in the powerplay, he could completely set the tone for CSK's innings. It's a high-risk, high-reward move, but after last season, it might be the gamble CSK needs to take.