New Delhi: MS Dhoni has reportedly returned to full fitness ahead of Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) clash against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. However, the former captain is unlikely to return to the CSK playing XI as he doesn’t want to disturb the team combination and take a youngster’s spot in the side.
Dhoni’s potential return has been one of the major talking points ahead of CSK’s upcoming home game against the Gujarat Titans on Sunday, April 26. The legendary wicket-keeper batter sustained a calf strain ahead of the start of the season and has since remained on the sidelines, missing CSK’s first seven matches of the season.
Dhoni was not travelling with the team earlier this season as he chose to stay in Chennai to focus on his recovery. However, the 44-year-old travelled to Hyderabad and Mumbai for CSK’s last two games, hinting at a potential comeback soon. He also underwent full-fledged training and wicket-keeping drill in the nets ahead of CSK’s last game against the Mumbai Indians.
However, Dhoni was not in the playing XI as Kartik Sharma slotted into the lower middle order against MI. However, his absence has nothing to do with his fitness anymore. As per a report in the Indian Express, Dhoni is fully fit and has cleared all fitness tests. However, he is delaying his return as he doesn’t want to disturb CSK’s team combination, which appears settled now.
MS Dhoni doesn’t want to disturb CSK’s team balance
Dhoni is delaying his return as he is wary of disrupting the team’s balance at a crucial juncture in IPL 2026. After a sluggish start, which saw them lose their first three games in a row, the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK have started finding some momentum with three wins in their last four games.
They also have found a settled combination with the likes of Sarafaraz Khan, Dewlad Bevis, Shivam Dube and Kartik Sharma forming a solid middle order despite injury to Ayush Mhatre. Though fully fit, Dhoni doesn’t want CSK to make a force change and has told the team management he doesn’t want to disturb the team’s combination.
With seven games remaining in the season, CSK have their fate in their own hands if they want to make it to the playoffs, and Dhoni has decided to prefer the team’s rhythm over sentiment to ensure the continuity is not affected. CSK are currently placed fifth on the points table with six points from seven matches after a commanding victory over arch-rivals Mumbai Indians in their last game.
CSK produced a brilliant all-round show to hand MI their biggest defeat in the IPL, thrashing them by 103 runs. Akeal Hossein starred with the ball while opener Sanju Samson slammed a magnificent ton to help CSK pull off one of their most complete performances of the season so far.
With the team finding a stable combination and starting to turn a corner, Dhoni is unlikely to make a comeback, which will demand a forced change. However, CSK’s finishing woes have been left exposed so far this season as the likes of Dube and Kartik have struggled to provide the kind of finishes required by the team.
If their struggle continues, it might open up a window for Dhoni to make his comeback as a finisher. However, if CSK keep winning games, Dhoni is unlikely to return to ensure momentum is not disrupted. CSK will take on GT in an afternoon game on Sunday, April 26, with Dhoni unlikely to feature despite being fully fit.