Former India and Chennai Super Kings offspinner R Ashwin has finally delivered his verdict on the availability of former captain MS Dhoni in IPL 2026.
MS Dhoni has been unavailable for CSK in IPL 2026 as he’s been nursing himself back from a calf strain. In his absence, CSK struggled for balance initially, but seemed to have hit form at the right time.
On Tuesday, CSK beat Delhi Capitals to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the IPL 2026 playoffs.
Key Points
- Ravichandran Ashwin feels MS Dhoni is unlikely to play for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026.
- Dhoni has missed the entire season so far due to a calf strain injury.
- Ashwin said CSK may not want to change their current playing combination while they are still in the playoff race.
- The former India spinner added that a farewell game for Dhoni in Chennai could still be possible if CSK get eliminated.
- Chennai Super Kings have now won three of their last four matches in IPL 2026.
CSK’s win over DC
On a slow surface, almost tailor-made for spin, in Delhi, CSK’s bowlers did early damage to a fragile-looking Delhi line-up. The pacers supported CSK’s spinners, and DC were 69/5 in the eleventh over.
Impact Sub Sameer Rizvi made a fighting, unbeaten 40, but DC only managed 156/7 in 20 overs after choosing to bat first in their own home ground.
CSK’s reply too started a little slow. Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed after a slow start, while Sanju Samson did his best to stay on the crease and soak up the pressure.
Urvil Patel played a cameo, and Kartik Sharma’s unbeaten 41 provided the perfect second-fiddle to Samson at his swashbuckling best. Samson bided his time at the start, but chose his moments to attack with precision.
Samson was especially harsh on Kuldeep Yadav during his Player-of-the-Match winning unbeaten 87.
CSK have now won three of their last four matches.
“MS Dhoni unlikely to play now” – R Ashwin
R Ashwin was speaking to journalist Vimal Kumar on his YouTube channel. The two discussed CSK’s mid-season resurgence, and eventually the subject came to MS Dhoni’s availability.
Kumar asked Ashwin if he could see MS Dhoni playing again this season, and the spinner replied in the negative.
“The way things are going right now, I don’t think so,” he said. Ashwin was also asked if whatever was happening was the best way for Dhoni to phase himself out, but he decided not to engage.
“I don’t know about all that. I cannot talk about another person. How can I say if this is the best way for him to phase himself out? That is his choice; how can I say anything? It’s not fair for me to say that,” he continued.
“It looks unlikely now, because CSK still have a chance [to qualify for the playoffs]. If they have to change their combination now, then it becomes very difficult. So I think the chances [of MS Dhoni playing] are very slim. If they lose 2 of their next three matches, then he [Dhoni] might get a farewell game in Chennai. That is a possibility, I won’t say no to it,” he added.
Also Read: CSK qualification scenario IPL 2026: Can CSK still reach the playoffs after winning against DC?
CSK’s next match
Chennai Super Kings are currently sixth on the points table with 5 wins and 5 losses each in 10 games. They are not out of the race to the playoffs, but they’re not in either.
Not just the next, but both of CSK’s next two matches are against the bottom-placed Lucknow Super Giants. First, the two teams will take on each other in Chennai on May 10, and then in Lucknow on May 15.
LSG will take on RCB in Lucknow on May 7 before this double header.
