Former CSK batter Robin Uthappa opined that wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni is being a "little more hands-off", adding, "IPL 2026 is likely to be his last year in the yellow jersey." "I see him playing more of a mentor-cum-player role this year. I don't see him batting at number seven," he said. Notably, Dhoni will turn 45 in July 2026.