MS Dhoni's IPL Absence Raises Concerns Among Fans
Dhoni's Injury and Future in Cricket
MS Dhoni has yet to participate in any matches for IPL 2026 due to a calf injury sustained prior to the season's commencement. Initially, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon was expected to miss two weeks of play. However, CSK's head coach later indicated that Dhoni had aggravated his calf issue, further postponing his return to the team's lineup. In light of Dhoni's ongoing absence, former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke has cautioned CSK supporters, suggesting that they may not see him in any cricketing capacity after his retirement. During a discussion on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Clarke expressed skepticism about Dhoni's future involvement in the sport, stating, "When he retires, we probably won't see him involved in cricket. He certainly won't commentate. I doubt he will stay on as a mentor with CSK. I can't imagine him going into coaching. So I would urge people to not wish him to go out soon and try to keep him involved in the sport." Dhoni stepped away from international cricket in August 2020 and currently only participates in the IPL. Following an early exit in IPL 2020, Dhoni's CSK rebounded by clinching the IPL 2021 title. They faced another disappointing exit in 2022 but triumphed over Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 final to secure the championship. Dhoni relinquished his captaincy before IPL 2024 but returned to lead the team in IPL 2025 after Ruturaj Gaikwad was sidelined.
CSK's Performance in IPL 2026
CSK's Current Standing
Under Ruturaj Gaikwad's leadership, CSK has achieved 5 victories out of 10 matches, placing them sixth in the IPL 2026 standings with 10 points and a net run rate of +0.151. The team faced challenges at the tournament's outset, suffering three consecutive losses. After securing two wins, they narrowly lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 10 runs. CSK then celebrated a significant 103-run victory against the Mumbai Indians, only to face another defeat against the Gujarat Titans. Currently, CSK is on a winning streak, having claimed their last two matches, and they are set to compete against the Lucknow Super Giants in consecutive games on May 10 and 15.