IPL 2026: MS Dhoni will resume wicketkeeping duties for Chennai Super Kings once he returns from injury and is unlikely to feature solely as an Impact Player, batting coach Michael Hussey said on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Dhoni, 44, missed his seventh consecutive match in the Indian Premier League 2026 during CSK’s clash against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium as he continues to recover from a calf strain sustained before the start of the season.
Speculation had grown that Dhoni could return as a specialist batter under the Impact Player rule, especially with alternative wicketkeeping options available in the squad. However, Hussey indicated that the team expects him to return in a full role.
“Oh, I’m pretty sure he’ll be behind the stumps,” Hussey told the broadcaster during a mid-match interview. “The biggest thing for him is that he’s had the calf injury, it’s just the running and late in innings, if he comes in, having to scamper those ones and twos, he just needs to make sure the calf is strong enough to withstand that.”
“But certainly from a skill perspective, we know what he can do as a keeper. We know he’s batting, he’s batting really well, so it’s just hopefully getting that confidence in the calf,” Hussey addedd.
Dhoni has been actively training and was seen keeping wickets in the nets ahead of the match – his first such session this season – though he was not included in the playing XI.
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad also acknowledged the impact of Dhoni’s absence at the toss, describing the veteran as a key presence in the side.
Chennai Super Kings are expected to assess Dhoni’s fitness ahead of their next fixture against Gujarat Titans in Chennai on Sunday, April 26, 2026.