MS Dhoni. Image Credits: AFP
In a major setback for CSK, MS Dhoni has been ruled out for the first two weeks of IPL 2026. The former India captain has suffered a calf strain, and the franchise confirmed this news through an official statement. As a result, he will miss the initial phase of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the 19th edition of the IPL is all set to begin on Saturday. The opening match will feature defending champions RCB taking on SRH at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Soon after that, CSK will begin their campaign against Rajasthan Royals on Monday.
However, MS Dhoni’s absence is a big concern for CSK. He has led the team to five IPL titles, which is one of the highest achievements in the league. Therefore, missing even a few matches creates a gap in both leadership and experience.
In addition, there is no clear update yet on how serious the injury is or whether MS Dhoni might miss more matches later in the season. As a result, it becomes important to look at possible players who can step in and fill MS Dhoni's role, at least for the first two weeks.
MS Dhoni replacements: IPL players who can replace CSK legend
KS Bharat
First of all, KS Bharat is one of the most reliable options available. Even though he went unsold in the IPL 2026 auction with a base price of 75 lakhs, he has valuable experience in the league. Over the years, KS Bharat has been part of teams like Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, and Kolkata Knight Riders.
In his IPL career, he has played 9 innings and scored 199 runs with a strike rate of 122.08. Moreover, he made headlines during his debut season in 2021 when he hit a last-ball six for RCB against Delhi Capitals. That moment showed his ability to handle pressure.
In addition, KS Bharat has been in good form recently. While playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT 2025) for Andhra Pradesh, he scored 239 runs in 10 innings with a strike rate of 139.77.
Therefore, if CSK want an Indian player with both experience and skill as MS Dhoni's replacement, KS Bharat stands out as a strong choice.
Also Read: SRH's Kavya Maran To Marry CSK Worshipper Boyfriend, Anirudh Ravichander After Legal Dispute
Vansh Bedi
Another interesting option as MS Dhoni's replacement is Vansh Bedi. Notably, he was part of the CSK squad in IPL 2025. However, he had to miss the latter part of the season due to a ligament injury in his left ankle. Later on, he was released before IPL 2026 and went unsold in the auction with a base price of 30 lakhs.
Even so, his recent performances have been impressive. In the Delhi Premier League (DPL 2025), he scored 187 runs in 9 innings with an excellent strike rate of 187.00. This shows his aggressive batting ability, especially in the middle order.
Along with that, he is also known for his sharp wicket-keeping skills. Since CSK often supports young Indian talent, Vansh Bedi could fit well into the team setup as MS Dhoni's replacement. Furthermore, his previous experience with CSK means he already understands the team environment, which can help him settle quickly.
Tushar Raheja
Tushar Raheja is another player who could be considered MS Dhoni's replacement for CSK in IPL 2026. The Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batter has been in outstanding form in domestic cricket. During the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL 2025), he scored 488 runs in 9 innings. His strike rate was an impressive 185.55, and Raheja maintained an average of 61.00.
Even though the young batter delivered such strong performances, he surprisingly went unsold in the IPL 2026 mini auction with a base price of 30 lakhs. Still, his aggressive batting style makes him a valuable option.
In addition, he is a left-handed batter with a wide range of shots. This gives him the ability to change the momentum of a match quickly. Therefore, if CSK is looking for a fresh and attacking option, Tushar Raheja could be a smart pick as MS Dhoni's replacement in IPL 2026.
Also Read: CSK Playing XI for IPL Without MS Dhoni- Urvil Patel, Ayush Mhatre Both To Play?
