Former skipper MS Dhoni has not played any of Chennai Super Kings’ 10 matches in IPL 2026. But that has not stopped him from making news off the field once again.
Dhoni’s recovery from a calf injury has delayed his return to the field, but off the field, he is still making news. A new report from the Income Tax Department of India has revealed that MS Dhoni has paid the highest tax amount out of any individual from his home state of Jharkhand.
“Approx. ₹12,000 crores tax collected from Jharkhand” – IT officials
Speaking to media persons in Ranchi, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Bihar -Jharkhand), Dr D Sudhakara Rao said “The total collection from Bihar and Jharkhand during the financial year of 2025-26 was around Rs 20,000 crore, of which Rs 12,000 crore was collected only from Jharkhand.”
“MS Dhoni was the highest individual taxpayer combining Bihar and Jharkhand during the previous financial year,” Rao continued, but did not reveal the exact amount filed by the former India skipper.
MS Dhoni is expected to be back soon
Chennai Super Kings had a tough start to their IPL season, but have picked up the steam now. Having already played 10 matches without Dhoni, CSK seem to be looking settled in their current line-up.
Dhoni has been getting more and more active in the nets over the past two weeks. So, speculation is rife about when he will return. And as is always the case with him, retirement speculation is rife as well.
Also Read: Watch: MS Dhoni transforms into unexpected new role ahead of IPL 2026 comeback
Dhoni is unable to play because of calf and knee injuries
While MS Dhoni’s absence has left many fans disappointed, the reasons for the delay in returning are manifold.
Apart from the calf injury he has been nursing since the start of the season, his knee has been giving him some grief as well. The repeated and recurring injuries have meant that Dhoni has chosen not to leave the team hotel on matchdays.
It is true that most fans come to see him on the ground, but MS Dhoni has not granted this wish of his fans yet. There has been speculation that Dhoni choosing to stay in the team hotel is his way of trying to phase himself out of the spotlight.
CSK without Dhoni in IPL 2026
Before 2026, Dhoni missed only five matches in CSK’s 17-year history as a franchise. In 2026, he had already missed twice as many. Without him, Sanju Samson has taken the gloves for CSK.
Samson was newly traded into CSK before the start of IPL 2026. Despite two unbeaten centuries and an 87*, Samson has burned hot and cold. Without Dhoni, the lower middle order is still finding its feet.
Chennai Super Kings next matches
With 5 wins in 10 matches, CSK are hung in an awkward spot if they want to make the top four. CSK have a positive net run rate if it ever comes to that, but so do four other teams.
CSK arguably have consolation in the fact that their next two matches – in Chennai on May 10 and in Lucknow on May 15 – are both against the tenth-placed Lucknow Super Giants.
LSG snapped their six-match losing streak in their latest game, but are still practically eliminated from the season.
