Chennai Super Kings (CSK) confirmed that their talisman, MS Dhoni, will miss the first few matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 due to a calf strain. Sanju Samson is set to replace him as the wicketkeeper for the franchise. CSK did not provide a timeline for Dhoni’s return to the field. Dhoni’s absence will extend to at least the first four matches of the tournament, including games against Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals.
Speculation about Dhoni’s future in the IPL has been ongoing, with questions about whether this edition will be his last as a player. Dhoni, who has featured in all 19 seasons of the tournament, may potentially make a comeback as an impact sub to support Ruturaj Gaikwad. In the previous season, Dhoni captained CSK after Gaikwad’s injury and had a decent performance, scoring 196 runs in 14 matches.
CSK finished at the bottom of the table last season, marking a significant change from their usual strong performances. If Dhoni plays in the IPL 2026, he will become the oldest Indian player to feature in the league, surpassing Praveen Tambe.
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