NEW DELHI: Having retired from international cricket in 2020, MS Dhoni now features only in the IPL. While Chennai Super Kings are currently led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhoni continues to remain an integral part of the team.

The World Cup-winning Indian captain Dhoni has returned to training in Ranchi, fuelling speculation that he has started preparations for the IPL 2026.

Former India spinner R Ashwin, who retired from the IPL last year after representing CSK in the previous season, has put forward a bold idea, suggesting that Dhoni could take on a new batting role by making greater use of the Powerplay conditions for the five-time champions.

'Pride of JSCA': MS Dhoni returns to training ahead of IPL 2026

"Dhoni looks set to play as he has already started practising. He's looking fit. Some said he may not play in the 11, or this might be his last season. But it looks like he got motivated seeing Imran Tahir. Looking at him, it doesn't look like he'll bat at No.9. He looks like he'll come out to bat at No.3 in the Powerplay and be the enforcer, the way he has begun practice," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin also highlighted the depth and quality of CSK's squad, expressing strong confidence in the group the franchise has put together as part of its push for a decisive reset this season.

"They've scouted very well and boast a powerhouse of a batting lineup. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Karthik Sharma, and Prashant Veer is a batting lineup, barring the inexperience in the last two, you ask how are teams going to stop this batting lineup? Even a 200 to 200 becomes really difficult for teams to stop CSK to," added Ashwin.

"Even Jamie Overton is going great guns. Only the combination CSK decides to go with is to be seen. Ayush Mhatre, irrespective of what happens in the U-19 World Cup, will deliver in the IPL. CSK's batting is a tough one to stop. If they get the combination and momentum right, that is a batting lineup that's really going to make work very difficult for bowlers around the tournament."