For the ninth match of the ongoing IPL season, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be up against the Mumbai Indians tonight (May 2) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk. Ahead of the match, like the previous CSK matches of the series, speculations are there around MS Dhoni’s availability for the match.
Will MS Dhoni play? The question remains ahead of the CSK vs MI match. As usual, there is no direct answer. Before the match, the 44-year-old keeper-batter trained with the team in the nets and also participated in batting drills. But the doubts over him remain even on the match day.
MS Dhoni practiced in the nets ahead of the CSK vs MI match
Over the past few days, CSK shared multiple photos and videos capturing multiple moments of their training for the match against the Mumbai Indians. They’ve shared a batting video of MS Dhoni as well, where we can see the keeper-batter smash the ball for a big hit.
MI captain Hardik Pandya was there, behind the CSK nets, watching MSD’s batting. As soon as the icon made a sweet connection between the bat and the ball, Pandya turned his head and walked off.
How cute is this! 💛🥹 #WhistlePodu #CSKvMI pic.twitter.com/GVaejL0Z5S
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 1, 2026
Will Dhoni play tonight?
A few hours before the match, RevSportz shares a report on Dhoni’s availability for the CSK vs MI match. According to the report, whether Dhoni will play or not is yet to be decided. The final decision is expected to come in the afternoon, around 5 pm.
“Mystery hangs over MS Dhoni’s participation in the IPL match against MI at Chepauk today. He hasn’t conveyed anything yet to the CSK management. Sources say it will only be known around 5 pm when the team finally leaves for the ground,” the media report claims.
Breaking!
Mystery hangs over MS Dhoni’s participation in the IPL match against MI at Chepauk today. He hasn’t conveyed anything yet to the CSK management. Sources say it will only be known around 5 pm when the team finally leaves for the ground. #CSKvMI
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) May 2, 2026
Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, the franchise informed that the former keeper had injured himself during one of their practice sessions, and he would be out of action for the initial few games of the IPL 2026 season. The Chennai Super Kings have already featured in 8 games in this season, and Dhoni is yet to play his first match in IPL 2026.
It was later reported that he injured his calf, and that might have forced him to stay away from the competitive games for a significant amount of time.
CSK Coach reveals Dhoni’s fitness status
Ahead of the CSK vs MI match, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey also mentioned Dhoni’s calf muscle injury. He also mentioned that the batter has been trying to increase his running speed between the wickets.
“Once he feels confident in his calf, I’m sure he’ll give the signal that he’s ready to go. At the moment, we’re guided by him. We’re waiting. I think all of Chennai is waiting,” he added further.
