MS Dhoni's Fitness Concerns Ahead of IPL 2026: Will He Play?

As IPL 2026 approaches, concerns about MS Dhoni's knee injury have resurfaced following a video of him limping after practice. With Sanju Samson joining CSK, questions arise about Dhoni's role in the team. Additionally, Nathan Ellis has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Discover how these developments may impact CSK's strategy for the upcoming season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 21, 2026, 15:24 IST

MS Dhoni's Injury Worries Before IPL 2026

Fans are expressing their worries about MS Dhoni's fitness as a recent video showed him limping towards the dressing room after a practice session. This has reignited concerns regarding his knee injury ahead of the IPL 2026 season. Dhoni has been dealing with knee problems since IPL 2023, which required him to undergo surgery after he led the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to their fifth IPL title. Despite the surgery, he continues to experience discomfort, affecting his ability to run quickly between the wickets.

CSK's head coach, Stephen Fleming, commented on Dhoni's condition, stating, "His body is… his knees aren't what they used to be. He can move okay, but there’s still an attrition aspect to it. He can't bat ten overs running full stick. He will gauge on the day what he can give us. If the game's in the balance, he will go a little bit earlier and back other players when opportunities arise. So he's balancing that." This statement highlights the challenges Dhoni faces as he navigates his role in the team.

With CSK bringing in Sanju Samson for IPL 2026, it remains uncertain whether Dhoni will maintain his position in the playing XI. If CSK opts to let Samson take over the wicketkeeping duties, Dhoni may serve as an Impact Player, stepping in only when his finishing skills are needed. A clearer understanding of Dhoni's role is expected after the first match of the season, where CSK will face the Rajasthan Royals on March 30. Following that, they will compete against the Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals on April 3, 5, and 11, respectively.

Nathan Ellis Out of IPL 2026

In addition to Dhoni's concerns, CSK will also be without Nathan Ellis for IPL 2026 due to a hamstring injury. The right-arm pacer, who was acquired for Rs 2 crore during the IPL 2025 mega-auction, only participated in one match last season. Prior to joining CSK, he played 16 matches for the Punjab Kings from IPL 2021 to 2024.