Former South Africa captain
Reflecting on their time together during an appearance on the Prakhar Gupta Podcast, Du Plessis noted that Dhoni’s success was rooted in his ability to process the game in real-time rather than relying on rigid pre-match strategies. According to the current Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter, this composure and situational awareness were the defining characteristics of Dhoni’s captaincy, qualities he now aims to integrate into his own leadership approach.
Dhoni's future remains tied to fitness assessment
While Du Plessis continues to draw inspiration from his former teammate, the immediate future of the veteran remains a subject of intense speculation. Having missed the entire 2026 IPL season due to recurring injuries, Dhoni has stated that his participation in the upcoming campaign depends entirely on his physical condition. He has committed to providing clarity on his status before December, noting that he must undergo medical evaluations to determine if he can withstand the rigours of another season.
The 45-year-old, who will turn 46 next year, recently addressed the situation with his characteristic humour, suggesting that the responsibility of maintaining his fitness for one final run lies with his medical team. Since stepping down as captain in 2024 and handing the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhoni has seen the franchise struggle to regain its momentum, with Chennai Super Kings finishing fifth, tenth, and eighth in the standings over the last three seasons.
As the franchise prepares for a significant transition, including the appointment of Zaheer Khan as the new coach following the departure of Stephen Fleming, Dhoni’s role within the revamped structure remains to be seen. Whether he returns as a player or transitions into a different capacity will be decided in the coming months, contingent on the results of his fitness tests.
