MS Dhoni has reportedly returned to Ranchi on the day of Chennai Super Kings’ final league-stage match against Gujarat Titans. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, the legendary former captain has already reached his hometown and will only rejoin the squad if CSK somehow qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs.
The development follows a pattern seen throughout the season, with Dhoni largely avoiding travel for away matches. His only exception came during CSK’s trip to Lucknow earlier this month.
CSK batting coach Mike Hussey also confirmed that Dhoni is currently dealing with a painful thumb injury, which further explains his absence from the crucial clash in Ahmedabad.
The injury was visible during CSK’s recent home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chepauk, where Dhoni was seen with heavy taping around his thumb. Incidentally, that match marked the only time this IPL season that Dhoni stepped onto the field during a game.
For CSK fans, Dhoni’s return to Ranchi effectively signals the end of a frustrating IPL 2026 campaign for the former skipper. He suffered a calf injury ahead of the opening match of the tournament and was later troubled by the thumb issue, preventing him from playing a single game this season.
Although he remained with the squad during home matches and continued supporting the team from the dugout, Dhoni was mostly seen in training gear rather than the iconic yellow match jersey.
The emotional atmosphere around his future intensified earlier this week at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium after CSK’s five-wicket defeat to SRH. Following the game, Dhoni joined his teammates during the traditional lap of appreciation to thank the fans, creating what many believed felt like a silent farewell moment.
CSK’s IPL 2026 season has largely been disappointing, with the five-time champions struggling for consistency throughout the campaign. They now head into their final league game against GT needing not only a win but also several other results to go in their favour to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
