Michael Clarke backs MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play in next year’s IPL

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke expects the trio of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play in next year’s IPL. While Kohli and Rohit are expected to be part of the next season of the tournament, there are doubts over MS Dhoni’s participation.

The former Chennai Super Kings captain said he will take a call on his IPL future after four to five months, according to his fitness and body.

Dhoni didn’t have a great run in IPL 2025, scoring 196 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17. Clarke said Dhoni holds a lot of value for CSK in the IPL.

“I think MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will play in next year’s IPL. MS Dhoni is massive. Every time Chennai plays, even in away games, there are more Chennai fans than any other fan. Sponsors, they are there because of MS Dhoni. The fans, they are there because of MS Dhoni.

“He is the king of that franchise. They want him to keep playing and I dont think people realise the impact. When he decides to retire, it will be a huge loss to the franchise,” Clarke said on Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

Meanwhile, for the first time in IPL history, CSK ended the tournament as the cellar dwellers, managing only four wins in 14 games.

On the other hand, the 2015 World Cup-winning captain said the impact player rule in the IPL is not helping Indian cricket.

“The impact player will stay. I don’t think the rule helps Indian cricket. It is great for the tournament. You don’t do it in the international level. With regards to the IPL, they’ll keep the impact player in,” Clarke concluded.