Chennai Super Kings Eye Semi-Finals Despite MS Dhoni's Absence in IPL 2026

Chennai Super Kings are currently positioned 5th in the IPL 2026 standings, with hopes of reaching the semi-finals. However, the absence of MS Dhoni, who has not played any matches due to a calf injury, has left fans anxious. As the team prepares for their next game against Lucknow Super Giants, there is speculation about Dhoni's potential return. CSK's CEO has confirmed that Dhoni is expected to travel to Lucknow, raising hopes among supporters. The article also provides insights into the reasons behind Dhoni's absence and details about the current CSK squad.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 13, 2026, 09:24 IST

CSK's Current Standing in IPL 2026

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are enjoying a strong performance in the IPL 2026, currently positioned 5th on the points table with 12 points from 11 matches. They are well-placed to secure a spot in the semi-finals of this prestigious tournament. However, the journey has not been entirely smooth for supporters, as the legendary MS Dhoni has yet to take the field this season, missing all 11 games. Fans are eagerly anticipating his return in the upcoming match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on May 15 (Friday) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

As reported by Cricbuzz, MS Dhoni is expected to travel to Lucknow unless he decides otherwise at the last minute. CSK's CEO, Kasi Viswanathan, has confirmed that Dhoni's flight has been booked on an Indigo commercial flight, along with 60 other team members and support staff, expressing optimism that the former captain will make the trip.

This season, Dhoni has been hesitant to travel, having only attended two away matches in Hyderabad and Mumbai, and he has not participated in any home games at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Reasons Behind MS Dhoni's Absence

Why MS Dhoni Is Not Playing In IPL Yet?

MS Dhoni sustained a calf strain during a practice session before the IPL 2026 commenced, which led to his absence in the initial matches of the tournament, as confirmed by the franchise. Unfortunately, he has not yet fully recovered from this injury.

CSK Squad Overview for IPL 2026

CSK Squad For IPL 2026

The current squad for CSK includes: Sanju Samson (w), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Matthew Short, Akeal Hosein, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Matt Henry, MS Dhoni, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Chahar, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Urvil Patel, Aman Khan, Zakary Foulkes, Ramakrishna Ghosh.