![Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma [Source: X and Screengrab]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1777732970116_SureshRainaandMSDhoniandRohitSharma.jpg?type=hq)
Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma [Source: X and Screengrab]
MS Dhoni has been absent from the camp of Chennai Super Kings since the inauguration of IPL 2026. It's officially the end of the first business half of the tournament, and Thalai is yet to feature for the yellow camp in this edition of the tournament.
Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni's closest companion and once a former teammate in CSK, earlier confirmed that Dhoni is set to play the El Clasico Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings clash on May 2. However, contrary to Raina's claim, Dhoni didn't make it for the match at Chepauk.
Suresh Raina Betrayed By Dhoni On The Face
During a pre-match show on JioHotstar, in the presence of commentator Jatin Sapru and Aakash Chopra, Raina was engaged in a talk show where Sapru deliberately asked Raina whether MS Dhoni was set to play the MI vs CSK game or not.
Raina, being tipped as one of the insiders of the CSK camp, was pressurised as the ex-India cricketer said he is probably playing the match today.
Then he pointed towards the camera with full confidence and expressed that he will definitely be playing the MI vs CSK clash.
However, it didn’t come true, as Suresh Raina's confident prediction was ultimately in vain. Dhoni didn't make it to the playing XI or the impact substitute list of the Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings match, as Ramakrishna Ghosh from CSK made his IPL debut on May 2.
Prashant Veer and Mukesh Choudhary also came in, as Gurpanjeet Singh, Kartik Sharma, and Akeal Hosein were benched for the match.
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Netizens Roast Raina as Dhoni Skips MI vs CSK
This perceived betrayal of Raina by MS Dhoni was not taken lightly by fans, as they trolled Raina for his overconfidence.
Let's take a look at how the internet reacted to Dhoni indirectly betraying Suresh Raina:
Will MS Dhoni Play in IPL 2026?
As the Chennai Super Kings' IPL 2026 playoffs qualification scenario hangs by a thread, Dhoni, the 44-year-old, who is currently not playing because of a recurring calf strain, is likely not to feature in the rest of IPL 2026.
Reports indicate that he had earlier passed fitness tests with his injury, but he stayed out of CSK's playing XI due to undisclosed reasons. Back on April 26, Stephen Fleming, the CSK coach, stated that Dhoni had picked up a fresh niggle in the calf, which will further restrict his availability for the upcoming games.
Although he was seen batting and keeping wickets comfortably in the nets, Dhoni's return is still under a cloud as CSK are struggling in transition with Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad grooming the side.
Currently, Chennai Super Kings stand in seventh position on the points table, from where they need to win every game to virtually make it to the playoffs. While this remains a concern for the Yellow camp, MS Dhoni is still far away from making his IPL 2026 debut anytime soon.
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