MS Dhoni’s IPL 2026 Return Delayed After Calf Injury Worsens, Confirms Stephen Fleming

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni is facing a delayed return in IPL 2026 after his calf injury worsened during a warm-up game, head coach Stephen Fleming revealed.

Speaking after CSK’s eight-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Fleming shared that Dhoni suffered a setback while trying to recover from the strain. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter has been with the squad since March and has participated in practice sessions, but he is yet to feature in any of CSK’s eight matches this season.

Fleming explained that the injury remains a major concern, as pushing too hard could potentially end Dhoni’s season. He noted that Dhoni initially aggravated his calf during a warm-up game, and since then, the focus has been on careful rehabilitation and regaining movement.

At 44, Dhoni has previously played through injuries, but this time recovery has taken longer than expected. CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad also confirmed that the injury occurred during a practice match before the season began, which affected Dhoni’s ability to run comfortably.

Gaikwad added that Dhoni has been closely observing younger players during practice and match simulations, taking time to recover fully before making a comeback. While there is no confirmed return date, there remains hope that he could rejoin the squad later in the season.

Currently, CSK sit sixth in the IPL 2026 points table with three wins from eight matches. They still have six league games remaining, with their next fixture scheduled against Mumbai Indians on May 2.