India, March 17 -- Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers questioned MS Dhoni's role in the Chennai Super Kings squad ahead of the start of the IPL 2026 season, especially after the recent signing of India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson in a blockbuster trade deal with Rajasthan Royals.

Speaking to Star Sports, De Villiers said that if Dhoni is no longer captaincy the Chennai side and if he continues to bat at No. 8 or 9, as he has been doing over the last two seasons of the IPL, then he might no longer be needed in the squad.

Handing a brutal reality to Chennai Super Kings, the former RCB star reminded that a team wins a trophy and not an individual, and hence the management would be better off slotting in an extra player in plac...