MS Dhoni Calf Injury: Will CSK’s ‘Thala’ Make His IPL 2026 Debut Against LSG?

MS Dhoni IPL 2026 (Source: AFP)

Still in the hunt for an IPL 2026 playoff berth despite a variable campaign, Chennai Super Kings will look to continue their recent resilient run when they take on the already-eliminated Lucknow Super Giants tonight, May 15, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.  

CSK have managed to stay afloat with timely wins in the second half of the season. On the other hand, LSG’s campaign has unravelled due to a string of ordinary performances. 

As the two franchises prepare to battle it out in the upcoming IPL 2026 fixture, concern still looms over MS Dhoni’s IPL 2026 debut. Thus, in this article, let’s see what the latest update is on Dhoni’s calf injury.  

Why is MS Dhoni not playing IPL 2026? 

The former captain has not played a single match for his IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings, in the ongoing season. The 44-year-old legendary wicketkeeper-batter, Dhoni, was initially ruled out of the IPL 2026 for two weeks due to a recurring calf strain. 

It was later reported that he had passed fitness tests. Nonetheless, remained out of the CSK playing 11, causing frustration among his fans and followers. 

It is worth noting that the franchise had earlier stated that he would miss the first fortnight of the campaign. However, it’s almost the middle of the season, and he is still nowhere to be seen.  

Will MS Dhoni play against LSG today? 

Latest reports confirm that MS Dhoni has stayed back in Chennai to continue his recovery. Thus, the waiting game is still to continue, and fans won’t get a glimpse of MS Dhoni tonight against Lucknow Super Giants. 

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It is worth noting that CSK will play their 12th game of the season without Dhoni. Hence, there are only 2 matches left for him to return in case the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led team fails to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs. 

Big blow for CSK, Match-winner Ruled Out of IPL 2026

CSK’s hopes of making a late dash to the IPL 2026 playoffs suffered a significant blow with all-rounder Jamie Overton returning to England, as confirmed on Wednesday, due to a right thigh injury. 

"Jamie Overton has a right thigh injury and will be returning to the UK for further assessment and management," CSK said on social media on Wednesday night.

By Thursday, the IPL confirmed the ruling out of Jamie Overton, with Dian Forrester announced as his replacement. 

During the time of writing, the English all-rounder held CSK’s second-highest wicket-taker this season with 14 scalps to his name, with an average of 17.78 and an economy rate of 8.89. He was the Player of the Match for taking 3 for 36 in his IPL franchise’s previous game, a five-wicket victory against LSG on May 11.

Moreover, hours before the Overton news, CSK had announced they had signed Karnataka all-rounder Macneil Noronha as a replacement for the injured fast bowler Ramakrishna Ghosh, who suffered a broken foot on his IPL debut.  

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