MS Dhoni is yet to be cleared for return to field as CSK aims for playoffs finish.
Dhoni had suffered a calf strain before the IPL 2026 began and has not played a single game in the ongoing season. While he was initially ruled out for the first two weeks of the tournament, his comeback has been delayed as the issue has flared up again and again.
CSK has kept itself alive in the playoffs race in IPL 2026, and with our league matches remaining, it is still in with a chance if it manages to win at least three.
Since joining the team in March, Dhoni has participated in net sessions and practice games, snippets of which have gone viral on social media. In order to avoid the spotlight while the squad concentrates on the playoffs, he has also stayed off the ground on matchdays.
Regarding Dhoni's potential comeback, former CSK spinner R Ashwin stated that it is unlikely unless things change later in the season, and might upset the Chennai Super Kings lineup's existing balance.
“If MS Dhoni comes, then the combination will be changed. It becomes very difficult, so I think there are very slim chances [of making a comeback]. If they lose two of their next three games, then he might get a farewell game in Chennai," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin also reflected on Rohit Sharma’s brilliant knock for MI against LSG. Rohit had missed a few games due to a hamstring injury but scored a terrific 84 runs. Ashwin has provided a direct evaluation of the Mumbai Indians' and Lucknow Super Giants' larger picture, implying that their seasons might not be determined solely by their performance.
“Rohit Sharma played a very good knock. The way he hit Avesh Khan for a six over extra cover, put it in a loop, and watched it 1000 times. What a shot! He also hit Manimaran Siddharth for a six over the bowler. But LSG and MI have no scene in this IPL. Mumbai has nothing to prove. They only have themselves to prove. But even against LSG, they were in trouble with the ball. So, let’s see if they can do better from here on," he added.