In a significant setback for Chennai Super Kings, former India captain MS Dhoni is set to miss the first two weeks of Indian Premier League 2026 due to a calf strain, the franchise confirmed on Saturday, March 28.
Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation and is expected to be unavailable for the initial phase of the tournament.
CSK Begin Campaign Without Dhoni
Chennai Super Kings will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against the Rajasthan Royals on March 30 in Guwahati.
If Dhoni’s recovery stays on track, he could return for CSK’s clash against the Delhi Capitals or the fixture against the Kolkata Knight Riders in mid-April.
“MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of TATA IPL 2026,” CSK said in an official statement.
Sanju Samson Likely to Take Over Wicketkeeping Duties
In Dhoni’s absence, Sanju Samson is expected to take over wicketkeeping responsibilities. The Kerala batter was brought into the squad ahead of the IPL 2026 auction through a high-profile trade deal.
CSK had traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals to secure Samson’s services, highlighting their long-term planning.
Dhoni Continues IPL Journey Post International Retirement
Dhoni has remained a key figure in the IPL despite retiring from international cricket in August 2020. In the previous season, he played all 14 matches for CSK, scoring 196 runs at an average of 24.5 and a strike rate of 135.17.
He also stepped in as captain early in the campaign after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to injury.
CSK Looking to Bounce Back After Poor 2025 Season
Chennai Super Kings endured a disappointing IPL 2025 season, finishing bottom of the table with just four wins in 14 matches. The team will now aim for a strong start in 2026 despite missing their most experienced campaigner.
At 44 years old, Dhoni is also on the verge of becoming the oldest Indian player to feature in IPL history, surpassing Pravin Tambe.
