New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings will have to wait longer for the return of their talisman, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, after a report claimed that the legendary cricketer is not yet match-ready to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. As per a report in Cricbuzz, Dhoni’s return to the IPL has been delayed, and there is no confirmed timeline for his return.
CSK, who are rooted at the bottom of the table with three losses in the opening three games, were hoping for Dhoni’s Midas touch in the team’s upcoming home fixture against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Saturday to turn their fortunes.
However, CSK officials have confirmed that Dhoni is undergoing rehab for a calf strain and is likely to take at least a week to recover fully from the injury.
Dhoni’s calf strain: Recovery status and match availability
“MS is undergoing rehab and it will take some time. We can’t say how much time,” Kasi Viswanathan, the CEO, told Cricbuzz.
Viswanathan also revealed that South African batter Dewald Brevis, who has also missed the start of the season, is making good progress in the recovery from a side strain.
“We are hoping he will be available for the next game (vs DC), but that will depend on how he progresses. We have a few days before the next game,” he added.
Over the next week, CSK host DC at Chepauk on April 11 and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on April 14. While the CSK legend is all but out of the DC game, his chances to make the cut for the KKR match also look bleak.
Can Chennai Super Kings cope without their talisman?
CSK, who won five titles under the leadership of Dhoni, are eagerly awaiting the return of their former captain in a dismal campaign that has started with three successive defeats.
The 44-year-old IPL legend is not travelling with the side for their away games to focus on his recovery. According to Cricbuzz, Dhoni is currently in Chennai with his family, undergoing rehab as CSK support staff, including a physio and a masseur, aim to speed up his recovery.
Dhoni also took part in a batting session at the CSK nets a couple of days ago.
CSK is going through a crisis after their second-longest losing streak at the start of an IPL season. The IPL giants endured their worst-ever start in the 2022 season, after losing their first four games, a record they would want to avoid with a win in their next game vs DC.
In IPL 2025, CSK opened the campaign with a win but lost the next five, eventually ending the season at the bottom of the table with four wins from 14 matches.