MS Dhoni Ruled Out of Must-Win Gujarat Titans Match
NEW DELHI: The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be without veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni for their final league-stage match against the Gujarat Titans due to a thumb injury. Batting coach Michael Hussey confirmed the development, though he kept the door open for Dhoni’s return should the franchise advance to the Indian Premier League playoffs.
Playoff Qualification Scenario for CSK
Currently sitting sixth on the points table with 12 points from 13 games, CSK faces a strictly mandatory win situation. A victory against Gujarat would bring them to 14 points, keeping their playoff hopes alive, dependent on net run rate and other match outcomes across the league managed by the BCCI.
| Team | Matches | Points | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Super Kings | 13 | 12 | Needs win plus favorable results |
| Gujarat Titans | 13 | 10 | Eliminated from playoff contention |
Hussey Details Dhoni’s Recovery Status
Addressing the media ahead of the high-stakes fixture, Hussey provided a direct update on the former captain’s fitness.
- Dhoni is currently not traveling with the primary squad.
- He sustained a sore thumb that requires rest for a full recovery.
- Medical staff expect him to be match-ready if CSK qualifies for the eliminator rounds.
“I can confirm he is not here with the team, but if we do happen to qualify, then he will definitely join back up with the team,” Hussey stated. “He has got a bit of a sore thumb, so it is recovering nicely, but he would not be ready for this match. If we can manage to get through to the playoffs, then hopefully he will be alright.”
Moving Past Recent Defeats
Chennai heads into the game seeking course correction after consecutive losses. The team suffered back-to-back defeats against the Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Match data from ESPNcricinfo indicates the recent five-wicket loss to SRH severely impacted their momentum.
Hussey acknowledged the dip in morale following the failed defense of their 181-run total against Hyderabad, an innings where the opposition batting unit chased the target effectively.
“It has made it more difficult for us to get through to the top four. Individually, everyone will take a few little learnings from it, but we have to move on quite quickly,” Hussey explained. He noted that head coach Stephen Fleming has focused the dressing room entirely on the upcoming Gujarat fixture, emphasizing that attitude and rapid reset are the only paths forward in the Indian Premier League tournament.