Former CSK skipper MS Dhoni has refused to provide a concrete timeline on his return to action in IPL 2026. Dhoni has missed all 6 of CSK’s matches in IPL 2026 as he has been recovering from a calf strain.
His absence has made life difficult for CSK as the five-time champions, as they are placed eighth on the points table with 4 points from 6 matches. CSK have been dealt blow after blow with injuries to key players and some other players going out of form.
CSK’s injury woes
Apart from MS Dhoni’s recuperation from a calf strain, CSK have also had to deal with injuries to other players. Pacer Nathan Ellis was ruled out before the season, and CSK signed Spencer Johnson to replace him. Johnson, too, was recovering from an injury but has now joined the CSK camp.
Dewald Brevis was unable to play the starting games due to an injury, but made a return to the team. Despite making the return, Brevis was injured again and had to sit out.
Left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed and top-order batter Ayush Mhatre have also been completely ruled out of the tournament. CSK are understood to be on the lookout for replacements.
Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin urges CSK to loan 19-year-old sensation from RCB as Ayush Mhatre’s replacement
MS Dhoni’s return to action
RevSportz has reported that MS Dhoni has still not confirmed whether or not he will be available for CSK’s clash against the Mumbai Indians on April 23. While he has been batting and keeping in the nets in the past few days, there has been no indication as to whether he will be ready to jump into action.
It is understood that CSK’s team management has left the decision completely to him. If not against MI on April 23, then Dhoni might finally return to action against the Gujarat Titans on April 26. This would mean that what was initially reported as a ‘two-week absence’ can now potentially grow into MS Dhoni being unavailable for literally half the season.
Both dates are ultimately speculative in nature since Dhoni has not given any sort of indication as to when he can finally step out onto the ground.
CSK without MS Dhoni
In Dhoni’s absence, Sanju Samson has taken the wicketkeeping gloves for CSK. But his form with the bat has been flaky as well. In 6 matches, Samson has made 192 runs with a high score of 115* and has not managed to pass 50 in any other innings. Although he has teed off with a healthy strike rate of 175.
Dhoni’s absence has also caused middle-order woes for CSK as their established middle-order options in Matt Short, Dewald Brevis, Kartik Sharma, and Shivam Dube have not been up to the mark.
CSK’s upcoming schedule
Chennai Super Kings have won just two of their six matches in IPL 2026 so far. This means that every upcoming fixture is crucial for them if they have to qualify for the playoffs.
CSK will play the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on April 23 next and then host both the Gujarat Titans and MI on April 26 and May 2, respectively.
