MS Dhoni set to miss first two weeks of IPL 2026 for Chennai Super Kings

MS Dhoni set to miss first two weeks of IPL 2026 for CSK due to an injury. Here's what the five-time champions said in their official statement.

Updated on: Mar 28, 2026, 10:35:59 IST

Written by Vishesh Roy

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) talisman MS Dhoni won't be seen in action in the first few Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 matches for the five-time champions, the franchise confirmed on Saturday. According to the official statement, the former India and CSK captain is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain and, hence, his participation in the initial few games for the franchise is not certain. The crucial update came two days before CSK's first IPL 2026 match against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Monday.

MS Dhoni set to miss first two weeks of IPL 2026 for CSK (PTI)

With Dhoni all but ruled out, Sanju Samson is all set to don the gloves for the franchise. CSK has not provided a timeline for how long it will take the 44-year-old to fully recover and return to the field.

“Official Statement. MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of the TATA IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala,” CSK wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

After opening their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan on Monday, CSK are slated to take the field against Punjab Kings (April 3), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (April 5) and Delhi Capitals (April 11). Even if Dhoni recovers in the next two weeks, the wicketkeeper-batter is all set to miss the first four matches for the franchise in the 19th edition of the tournament.

Also Read: Yograj Singh puts aside turbulent relationship with MS Dhoni, admits he ‘admires’ former Indian captain's longevity

Ahead of the IPL 2026, which gets underway on March 28, all the chatter has been about Dhoni's future in the tournament and whether the latest edition would be his last as a player. Dhoni is only the fourth player to feature in all 19 seasons of the tournament, alongside Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Manish Pandey.

Ever since Samson was roped in by CSK through a trade with Rajasthan, speculation has risen about Dhoni's future, with many feeling that the five-time champions have managed to secure a worthy successor.

Will Dhoni play as an impact sub?

The 2011 World Cup-winning captain, Dhoni, has also been urged not to play as an impact sub, saying his utility lies in helping Ruturaj Gaikwad. In the IPL 2025 season, Dhoni's batting position was scrutinised left, right and centre, with the right-handed batter as low as No.8 in some matches.

Last season, Dhoni featured in all 14 matches for the Super Kings, scoring 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a 135.17 strike rate. Dhoni also took over the captaincy reins midway through the season after Gaikwad got ruled out due to a hairline fracture.

For the first time in 18 years, CSK finished last in the wooden spoon. If Dhoni takes the field in the IPL 2026 season, he would become the oldest Indian to ever feature in the league, surpassing Praveen Tambe.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vishesh Roy
Vishesh Roy is a sports journalist with a strong focus on cricket. He began his career at Asian News International (ANI), where he covered a range of high-profile events, including the India Open, Legends Cricket League, the England–India Test series in Ahmedabad in 2021, and the inauguration of the Narendra Modi Stadium. During his tenure at ANI, he also reported extensively on domestic cricket, covering several Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy matches across the country. While cricket remains his primary beat, Vishesh has also reported on tennis, football and WWE. After a stint of over three years at ANI, Vishesh moved to NDTV, where he gained hands-on experience in digital-first journalism, with a particular emphasis on live blogs and real-time news reporting. He joined Hindustan Times in October 2024 and quickly established himself with a series of exclusive interviews and source-driven stories. Ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, Hindustan Times was the first to report that the two-day event would be held in Saudi Arabia. In the early months of his tenure, Vishesh secured interviews with leading cricketers, including Pat Cummins, Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rashid Latif. He has also closely tracked the rise of emerging talents such as Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Priyansh Arya by speaking to their current and childhood coaches. His background in on-field reporting has helped Hindustan Times Digital break exclusive stories on major developments, including Virat Kohli’s return to the Ranji and Vijay Hazare Trophy, IPL scheduling, and the T20 World Cup controversy involving Bangladesh and Pakistan.Read More

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