MS Dhoni was forced to miss the complete IPL 2026 season due to a calf injury he suffered before the start of the tournament. Initially, he was ruled out for only two weeks. But Dhoni suffered another calf injury during a practice game, which didn’t allow him to make his return.
MS Dhoni didn’t play a match in IPL 2026. Photo: BCCI
Dhoni also suffered a thumb injury during the season. He had already returned home before CSK’s last game of the season. Dhoni hasn’t played competitive cricket since IPL 2025 and he won’t make his on-field return till IPL 2027.
Prithvi Shaw
After going unsold in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, Prithvi Shaw returned to Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The team management did show trust in him in the auction but didn’t give him even one opportunity.
DC could have included Shaw in the final XI in their last game against Kolkata Knight Riders. But they decided against it despite crashing out of the tournament before that game. DC finished in the sixth spot.
Ishant Sharma
Senior pacer Ishant Sharma has been on the bench since the start of 2026 and will continue to sit out. Gujarat Titans (GT) have a well-settled bowling line-up and Ishant isn’t in the plans for now. GT don’t release senior players even if they continue to sit on the bench.
Hence, it is unlikely that Ishant will be back in the auction pool. But the chances of him playing another game for GT are bleak.
Rahul Tripathi
Once a regular in IPL, Rahul Tripathi stayed on the bench for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Ajinkya Rahane retained the opening spot along with Finn Allen and Tim Seifert (on few occasions). Their presence at the top meant that there was no place for Tripathi. He returned to KKR for Rs 75 lakh in the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
Jayant Yadav
Jayant Yadav has been with GT since their IPL debut in 2022. But he has only played one game for them – in 2023. He continues to stay on the bench in IPL 2026. GT aren’t expected to release him at least till IPL 2027.