Chennai Super Kings captain M.S. Dhoni was absent from the team’s IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday. This marked the second consecutive game that Dhoni missed this season, as he also sat out the season opener against Rajasthan Royals earlier in the week. This is only the seventh game in CSK’s history that did not feature Dhoni.
This is the first time since the 2010 season that Dhoni has missed back-to-back games. In 2010, he missed three consecutive games against Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He was also ruled out of two games during the 2019 season.
Initially, CSK had announced that Dhoni would be out for two weeks due to a calf strain. However, there were glimpses of hope for a quicker recovery when the 44-year-old was spotted during the team’s practice session on Thursday.
The absence of Dhoni is a significant blow to the team, as he is a key player and leader on the field. Fans will be eagerly awaiting his return to action as soon as possible. The match against Punjab Kings ended in a disappointing loss for CSK, further highlighting the importance of having Dhoni in the lineup.
The article was published on April 3, 2026, providing updates on Dhoni’s injury and recovery status.
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