MS Dhoni has missed all 12 of CSK's matches in the IPL 2026 so far.
MS Dhoni has missed all 12 of Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) IPL 2026 matches so far due to a calf injury. With only two league games remaining, it's not clear if fans are ever going to see the legendary wicketkeeper play in the cash-rich event again.
Initially ruled out for two weeks, Dhoni’s recovery hit an obstacle after he re-tweaked his calf muscle during a warm-up session. Despite travel arrangements being made for him to join the squad in Lucknow, the 44-year-old ultimately stayed back in Chennai as CSK succumbed to a damaging seven-wicket defeat against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Amid the dilemma over his return, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has predicted Dhoni to make his much-awaited comeback in CSK’s must-win encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Chepauk on Monday (May 18).
"Even now, if we talk about a quality pace hitter, I think it's him," Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
"Let's see. I have a feeling that against Sunrisers Hyderabad, there is a good chance of him playing. Let's wait and see how it goes," he added.
While it remains to be seen if Dhoni can provide the fairytale finish to an otherwise frustrating season for CSK, Ashwin revealed that a medical green light is imminent.
"As far as I have heard, he has been ready to take the field for the last two-three games," Ashwin stated.
Ashwin also defended the CSK management, shifting the blame for prolonged player rehabilitations from the captain (Ruturaj Gaikwad) and coach (Stephen Fleming) to the complex realities of sports science and physiotherapy.
"I think the more you cut down on training, the chances of getting injured increases. Some, in a bid to avoid injuries, they look at hopping from match to match—that's wrong. But this is another department; it's physiotherapy and sports science. I don't think the coach and the captain can be blamed. They can't do anything," Ashwin explained.
CSK dropped to sixth place in the points table after suffering a seven-wicket defeat to LSG at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. The five-time champions currently hold 12 points with an NRR of +0.027, but Ashwin praised the squad’s resilience in keeping their playoff hopes alive.
"I personally think they have done an exceedingly good job in still continuing and keeping the team alive in this tournament. Not an easy one," he remarked.