MS Dhoni will miss the initial matches of IPL 2026 due to a calf injury. This marks a significant moment for Chennai Super Kings.
Is MS Dhoni playing in IPL 2026? Unfortunately, the answer is no, at least for the beginning of the season. Dhoni is sidelined due to a calf strain and is expected to be unavailable for the first two weeks of IPL 2026.
This situation arose during a recent match where Chennai Super Kings (CSK) faced Rajasthan Royals (RR) on March 30, 2026. This match marked a historic moment as it was the first time CSK played without both MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina in the playing XI. Dhoni’s absence was felt significantly, as CSK’s innings collapsed to just 127 runs in 19.4 overs.
In the match against RR, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stood out for the Royals, scoring 52 runs off just 17 balls, while CSK’s top order struggled. The team finished in 10th position in the IPL 2025 points table, and their performance without Dhoni raised concerns about their stability.
Dhoni, who has played 278 matches in the IPL and scored 5,439 runs at an average of 38.30, last missed an IPL match in 2019. His leadership and experience have been crucial for CSK over the years, and his absence was noted more as a stabilizing presence rather than just a batting fix.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding when Dhoni will return to the field, but fans and analysts alike are eager to see how CSK adapts without their iconic captain. The team will need to regroup and find ways to compensate for his leadership and skills as they navigate the early part of the season.
