MS Dhoni has yet to play in IPL 2026. Credits - Chennai Super Kings
MS Dhoni's injury has been the talking point of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026), especially after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) slumped in the early part of the tournament.
Under Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK has begun its campaign on a sorrowful note, losing three out of three matches in the IPL 2026. Despite having a powerful batting line-up, with Rutu and Sanju Samson at the top, Chennai have been performing woefully because of their poor bowling.
It is Dhoni’s experience that CSK has been lacking. The 44-year-old has been the backbone of the Yellow Army, winning all five of their trophies with his magnetic presence. However, MSD injured his calf while batting in nets ahead of the IPL 2026, which initially ruled him out for the first two weeks.
On Monday, it was reported that Dhoni could get fit for CSK’s next fixture vs Delhi Capitals at Chepauk, given he passes the tests. However, he might miss the entire season.
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MS Dhoni might miss entire IPL 2026?
Former CSK batter Robin Uthappa has made shocking claims related to Dhoni. While speaking on the podcast “Off the Mark”, the former wicketkeeper-batter stated that the 44-year-old CSK legend might not feature in the IPL 2026 at all.
“There is news circulating that Mahi might miss the entire season. Don’t we know whether that's true or not? I think he is missing the first 5-6 games; maybe he can’t run. He has been nursing his calf injury for so long now. So he had knee surgery, but before that, he had been managing that injury for 5 or 6 years. The calf was used to take the overload because he was managing his knee. Due to that, today, the calf has become a chronic injury. Even though he wants to play,” Robin Uthappa mentioned on the podcast.
Uthappa played his last two seasons in the IPL under MS Dhoni at CSK. Although the retired cricketer is not a part of the IPL in any capacity, he is still very close to the CSK keeper. Having said that, there is still no official update from the Chennai team management or any of its representatives.
MS Dhoni in recent years
Retired from international cricket in 2020, MS Dhoni has been far from his best in recent years. In the previous two seasons, he was batting way down the order, only playing as a finisher and a stumper.
Fans are speculating IPL 2026 to be MS Dhoni’s final dance in the league, but he hasn’t given his final verdict yet. The legendary cricketer has already missed three games for his beloved Super Kings.
Meanwhile, the CSK management has indirectly looped in Thala’s replacement by trading in Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals. Although Samson is batting at the top of the order, he resembles MSD in various respects. Having said that, the former RR captain has yet to fire even once for Chennai.
What's next for CSK in IPL 2026?
After losing to Rajasthan, Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, CSK will next face DC on Saturday evening. Sooner or later, they will look to have a comeback to get back into winning ways.
Nevertheless, even without Dhoni, Chennai will likely field Dewald Brevis in their next game, after the Proteas missed the last three matches.
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