Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have suffered a big setback ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Legendary cricketer MS Dhoni may not be available for the first couple of weeks of the tournament.
Dhoni is currently dealing with a calf strain. The injury will keep him out of action for the initial phase of the season. This means he is set to miss CSK’s opening match against Rajasthan Royals. The game will be played at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on March 30.
CSK confirmed the update on Saturday morning. The franchise shared an official statement on social media regarding Dhoni’s condition.
“MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala!”
This news will worry CSK fans. Dhoni remains a key figure in the team even at the age of 44. His experience and leadership are very important.
CSK have backup options ready
Despite Dhoni’s absence, CSK have good backup options. Sanju Samson is available to take over wicketkeeping duties. He is an experienced player and can handle pressure situations.
Apart from him, Urvil Patel is another option in the squad. The team also has Kartik Sharma, who was signed for a big amount of 14 crore. These players can step up in Dhoni’s absence.
Dhoni missing IPL matches is very rare. The last time he missed a game was in 2019. He was out due to illness and a back spasm during that season.
CSK will begin their campaign against Rajasthan Royals. They will then play Punjab Kings in Chennai on April 3. After that, they will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 5. Their next match will be against Delhi Capitals on April 11.
Dhoni is expected to recover by then. However, fans are waiting for another official update.
