MS Dhoni’s IPL 2026 Return Delayed Following Calf Injury Setback
Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed that MS Dhoni will face an extended stint on the sidelines after aggravating a calf strain during a pre-season warm-up match. The injury update follows CSK’s eight-wicket defeat to the Gujarat Titans at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.
Fleming Details the Injury Risk
Despite joining the squad in March and participating in initial practice sessions, the 44-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has missed all eight of CSK’s matches in the current IPL 2026 season. Fleming noted that rushing the recovery could result in a season-ending injury.
“The calf is a tough one,” Fleming stated during the post-match press conference. “If he takes off and rips the calf again, then he will be gone for the whole season. So we pushed it early. In a warm-up game, he tweaked it again, is my understanding. And since then, he has been just working hard to get some movement into it. But there was a setback.”
Gaikwad Explains Dhoni’s Rehabilitation
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad previously addressed the situation in a team video, detailing the exact moment the injury occurred. Gaikwad emphasized that Dhoni is taking a cautious approach to his rehabilitation while observing the team’s younger players step into larger roles.
“We were playing a practice match. That’s when he snapped his calf and then he wasn’t able to run as comfortably as he wanted to,” Gaikwad explained. “After that, it was just about taking time on his recovery. Slowly, he is getting there. Maybe next game, maybe after that, but definitely one day for sure.”
CSK Mid-Season Performance and Standings
The absence of their veteran leader has impacted the franchise’s campaign. Chennai currently sits in the lower half of the points table and will need to secure vital points in their remaining six league matches. Their next fixture is a home game against the Mumbai Indians on May 2.
CSK IPL 2026 Mid-Season Statistics
| Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Points | Table Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6th |
For official player updates and complete match schedules, visit the BCCI official website.