MS Dhoni has kept Chennai Super Kings guessing over his availability for Thursday’s high-voltage IPL 2026 clash against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium. The CSK legend, who has been recovering from a calf injury sustained before the season began, has still not given the franchise a clear answer on whether he will even come to the ground, let alone take the field.
“We have told him to inform us when he is ready. As of today, he has not told us anything. We are waiting to hear from him,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan told Cricbuzz. “We still don’t know whether he will come to the ground. It is entirely up to him.”
CSK had initially said Dhoni would miss around two weeks, but that timeline has long passed. Since then, every update has pointed in the same direction: he is batting well in training, but his match fitness is still being monitored carefully. Bowling coach Eric Simmons said the final call will be made only after Dhoni and the medical staff are fully satisfied.
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“A decision on him will be taken tomorrow by him and the medical staff, if he is absolutely ready to go,” Eric Simmons said on the eve of the match. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad had also spoken about Dhoni’s recovery earlier, explaining that the veteran picked up the injury during a practice game and has been working patiently to regain his running ability.
“We were playing a practice match which is where he snapped his calf,” Ruturaj Gaikwad said. “He hasn’t been able to run as comfortably as he would like to due to the injury. Since then, it’s been all about taking time on his recovery. He is getting there slowly. Maybe he might feature in the next game or the one after that. He will be back one day definitely.”
Batting coach Michael Hussey provided the clearest hint yet that Dhoni is nearing a return, but still needs more confidence in his movement between the wickets.
“He’s progressing nicely with his rehab,” Mike Hussey said. As you saw yesterday at training, he’s batting well. He was very happy with where his batting is at. He’s just progressing with his running. He just needs to get confidence in his running and build that speed up. I don’t know when he’s going to play, but I’m hoping it’s sooner rather than later, like all the fans are.”
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Thursday’s clash may have offered the perfect stage for a comeback, especially after Ayush Mhatre’s injury opened up a vacancy in the playing XI. Still, with CSK staying tight-lipped, Dhoni’s return remains uncertain.
Against Mumbai Indians, Dhoni’s record is as strong as ever. In 35 IPL innings versus MI, he has scored 805 runs at an average of 35.61 and a strike rate of 129.18, including three fifties. That makes him one of the most successful batters in the history of this rivalry.
