Mumbai: As anticipation builds for Season 19 of the Indian Premier League, discussions around the future of stalwarts like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma continue to dominate the narrative.
Speaking on JioStar’s ‘IPL Today Live’, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan suggested that the inclusion of Sanju Samson in the Chennai Super Kings setup could signal a transition phase—and possibly Dhoni’s final IPL season.
“It looks like this could be MS Dhoni’s last season. The signs are there. CSK have brought in a wicketkeeper-batter like Sanju Samson, someone you can build the team around for years. He has the calibre, the connect with fans, and the recent form to take that responsibility. He is one player MS Dhoni would want to pass the baton to,” Pathan said.
Pathan also reflected on Dhoni’s evolving role as a finisher, noting that age and fitness challenges have impacted his effectiveness in recent seasons. “Earlier, Dhoni could finish games almost at will. But now, coming in for just the last two overs hasn’t always worked. If you are playing, you need to take more responsibility—batting for four or five overs could benefit the team more,” he observed.
Meanwhile, former India opener Aakash Chopra weighed in on which of the three legends is best placed to shine this season. He backed Virat Kohli, citing his exceptional fitness and consistency. “Virat’s fitness gives him an edge. As an opener, he has more time to settle in and build innings. Rohit Sharma is similar, but Virat’s discipline and conditioning make him slightly better placed. For Dhoni, it’s tougher—he plays fewer balls, keeps wickets for 20 overs, and comes into the tournament after long breaks,” Chopra explained.
On Rohit Sharma’s approach, Chopra said the aggressive mindset is essential given the depth of the Mumbai Indians batting line-up. “With players like Quinton de Kock, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and others, the focus is on maximising the Powerplay. Rohit will continue with his ‘see ball, hit ball’ approach unless conditions demand otherwise,” he added.
As IPL 2026 gets underway, the spotlight remains firmly on its biggest icons—while also hinting at the transition to a new generation ready to carry the legacy forward.
