Chennai Super Kings’ Ruturaj Gaikwad, right, and MS Dhoni (PTI Photo)
Chennai Super Kings’ final home game of IPL 2026 against Sunrisers Hyderabad has sparked huge speculation over whether MS Dhoni could make a surprise return, but Sunil Gavaskar has poured cold water on the possibility. MS Dhoni has not featured in a single match this IPL season, with CSK confirming before the tournament that he was recovering from a calf strain. What was initially expected to be a short rehabilitation period extended through the entire league stage so far, leaving him out of all CSK fixtures. Yet, with CSK playing their last home game at Chepauk and still alive in the playoff race, the emotional narrative around a possible appearance has intensified. The context is further fuelled by Dhoni’s old remark from 2021, when he had hinted that his final T20 might come in Chennai, adding sentiment to an already high-stakes fixture. However, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has strongly downplayed any expectation of Dhoni returning for the match, stressing that the risk outweighs the sentiment in a must-win encounter.Speaking on JioStar, Sunil Gavaskar addressed the speculation around a possible return for MS Dhoni in CSK’s final home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Gavaskar said, “The match against SRH is a crucial one for CSK. It’s their last home game at Chepauk, so naturally fans want to see MS Dhoni play.” However, he immediately highlighted Dhoni’s long absence, adding, “But he hasn’t featured at all this season. In fact, he hasn’t played competitive cricket for over a year. So, I doubt he would want to take such a risk at this stage.” He further stressed the importance of match readiness, saying, “You need players who have been match-fit and playing regularly for the last six weeks.” Gavaskar also underlined Dhoni’s team-first mindset, stating, “Dhoni is a complete team-man. I don’t think he would want to disrupt the current combination.”Concluding his view, he made his stance clear: “I would be very surprised if he plays against SRH. This is a must-win game for CSK. A victory keeps them alive in the playoff race. They have to win this match at all costs, and bringing in a player who hasn’t played in over a year could be a gamble.” CSK’s playoff equation remains straightforward but demanding — two wins from their final two matches would take them to 16 points, keeping them firmly in the race, although qualification would still depend on other results going their way. For now, though, Gavaskar’s assessment makes one thing clear: despite the emotion, a Dhoni return at Chepauk today appears highly unlikely.
