Chennai Super Kings have been dealt a huge blow with an injury to MS Dhoni. The 44-year-old veteran is said to have suffered a calf injury and will be ruled out for the first two weeks of the tournament.
Whenever the IPL comes around, the question always arises whether MS Dhoni will feature. For the last five seasons, he has kept fans hopeful. However, this time, it could really be the end.
MS Dhoni injury update
The whole world is aware of MS Dhoni’s knee issues, but on Saturday, the team management confirmed another setback, this time in his calf region.
CSK’s statement read: “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.”
How many games will MS Dhoni miss?
If the recovery timeline remains at two weeks, Dhoni is set to miss a significant number of matches. He is likely to be unavailable for at least four games, which is close to one-third of the early phase of the season.
- March 30: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings
- April 3: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings
- April 5: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings
- April 11: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals
MS Dhoni’s presence in CSK camp
The veteran wicketkeeper-batter and former captain has remained a vital presence in the CSK setup. Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, he continues to influence the team both on and off the field.
His importance is evident in the way he led CSK to IPL titles in 2021 and 2023. In recent years, he has batted lower down the order, but his leadership and experience have continued to benefit the side.
Who will keep in MS Dhoni’s absence
There is no shortage of wicketkeeping options in the CSK squad this season. The team has two established names in Sanju Samson and Urvil Patel. Additionally, Kartik Sharma, their record buy, is also an option behind the stumps.
However, all signs point towards Samson taking up the gloves. He is currently India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in T20 cricket and brings both experience and consistency.
CSK have long been interested in bringing Samson into their setup, especially during the period when there were rumours of his exit from Rajasthan Royals. They finally secured him through a trade involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.
In a recent interaction, Ruturaj Gaikwad also confirmed that he will open alongside Samson this season, which further strengthens the likelihood of Samson being CSK’s first-choice wicketkeeper.
CSK will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals at Barsapara Stadium on March 30, a game where Dhoni’s absence will be felt immediately.
