MS Dhoni has spoken about the gap between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings in recent IPL seasons. The CSK legend said RCB have clearly been the better team over the last two years. He also said a team’s reputation on paper matters far less than how it performs on match day.
Dhoni was speaking at a healthcare event in Bengaluru. He did not play in IPL 2026 because of fitness issues.
CSK have won five IPL titles. Two of those came in 2021 and 2023. But the team has also had some poor seasons in the 2020s. They finished last in 2025. In 2026, they ended eighth and only showed good form in patches. RCB, on the other hand, have been strong. They reached the playoffs in most seasons this decade, missing only in 2023. They won back-to-back titles in 2025 and 2026 under Rajat Patidar. RCB have also beaten CSK four times in their last five meetings.
MS Dhoni said the shorter the format, the smaller the gap between the best teams. He admitted CSK have struggled for two years. He said there is no point denying that RCB have done very well. He described life as a mix of good and bad times. For him, the real test of character comes when a team is not doing well. He said CSK knew success would not last forever. What matters is how a team responds and what areas it works on.
MS Dhoni hoped CSK will have fewer injuries next season. He said a fully fit squad makes life easier. He also said players need to understand their roles and responsibilities. He hopes the next CSK-RCB match in Bengaluru is another close game that fans enjoy.
He also spoke about the Bengaluru venue. He said batters love playing there because the ball travels well. Even mistimed shots can go for six. He said bowlers are under pressure at the ground. But if a bowler does reasonably well there, people see it as a good effort. He called the venue high-scoring and fun for everyone.
…Hints at IPL 2027 Return, Says Fitness Tests Will Decide His Future With CSK
MS Dhoni has given a hint about his IPL future. The 45-year-old said he will decide whether to play another season after checking his fitness. He missed the entire IPL 2026 season because of fitness issues, mainly a calf problem.
Dhoni was asked about playing in IPL 2027. He replied with humour but made it clear that fitness will decide. He said he needs to go through tests and see the reports. He wants to know before December if he is strong enough to play one more season. He joked that the medical staff will have to keep him fit. He called himself an “old vintage vehicle” that needs to run well on the road. So the pressure is on them, he said.
His comments suggest he could decide before December. But he has not confirmed if he will return for IPL 2027.
Dhoni’s role in the CSK batting line-up has become smaller over the years. He mostly bats in the final overs now, trying to score quick runs. Even so, he remains one of the top run-scorers in IPL history. He has 5,439 runs in 278 matches at an average of 38.30, with 24 fifties. He also led CSK to five IPL titles and two Champions League T20 titles.
CSK have struggled since Ruturaj Gaikwad took over as captain in 2024. The team finished last in IPL 2025 and eighth in IPL 2026. Their last title came in 2023, when Dhoni was captain.
FAQs
Q. What did MS Dhoni say about RCB and CSK?
A. Dhoni admitted that RCB have been the better team over the last two IPL seasons.
Q. How many IPL titles have CSK and RCB won?
A. CSK have won five IPL titles, while RCB claimed back-to-back titles in 2025 and 2026.
Q. Will MS Dhoni play in IPL 2027?
A. Dhoni has not confirmed his return and will decide after checking his fitness.
Q. Why did MS Dhoni miss IPL 2026?
A. Dhoni missed the entire season because of fitness issues, mainly a calf problem.
Q. How many IPL runs has MS Dhoni scored?
A. Dhoni has scored 5,439 runs in 278 IPL matches, with 24 half-centuries.
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