A big problem has arrived early for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2026 and it revolves around their biggest name – MS Dhoni.
The legendary wicketkeeper-batter, who now plays only in the IPL, is dealing with a calf strain after pushing himself through intense training for over a month to prepare for the season. Having not played any competitive cricket for nearly a year, the physical strain seems to have taken a toll.
While the franchise has officially confirmed that Dhoni will be out for around two weeks, reports suggest his absence could stretch longer, possibly up to six matches. There are also doubts about whether he will be fit in time for the much-anticipated clash against Mumbai Indians. For now, a return before the last week of April looks unlikely.
Inside the camp, there’s no hiding the concern. Team officials have admitted that losing Dhoni, even temporarily, is a major setback. The focus now is on ensuring that he recovers fully and returns as soon as possible.
MS Dhoni’s absence is not just about missing a player, it’s about losing a leader. In recent seasons, fitness issues have already limited his movement, which is why he has been batting lower down the order, although he continued to keep wickets. Still, his experience and decision-making on the field remain invaluable.
There is some relief for CSK, though. Sanju Samson, who joined from Rajasthan Royals last year, is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties as CSK begin their campaign.
The challenges don’t end there. Dewald Brevis has also been ruled out of the opening match due to a side strain picked up in training. This could open the door for Sarfaraz Khan to make his debut for the franchise.
With key players missing, CSK will need to quickly adapt if they want to stay competitive early in the tournament.
