Excitement is building among Chennai Super Kings fans after fresh reports hinted at a possible return for MS Dhoni in the IPL 2026. CSK are set to face Lucknow Super Giants on May 15 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium and according to a leading sports portal, the franchise has already booked Dhoni’s ticket on a commercial flight along with the rest of the squad.
However, his travel plans do not guarantee that he will play the match. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter is still recovering from a calf injury that he suffered during a training session before the start of the season.
Initially, MS Dhoni was expected to miss only the first two weeks of the IPL 2026 but nearly two months have passed and he is yet to feature in a single game. He has also avoided travelling for away matches this season. Even during home games in Chennai, Dhoni reportedly stayed away from match-day squads to avoid creating distractions around the team.
Despite the uncertainty, there is growing belief within the franchise that the former CSK captain could return for one or more matches during the remainder of the season. The clash against Lucknow Super Giants may mark the beginning of that comeback, although the report suggested that Dhoni could still change his plans at the last minute.
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming had earlier revealed that MS Dhoni faced a setback during his recovery process, which delayed his return further. Batting coach Michael Hussey also explained that while Dhoni has been fit enough to bat for some time, concerns remain over his overall movement, fitness and running between the wickets.
There are also indications that Dhoni himself does not want to disturb the team combination at a crucial stage of the tournament. Chennai Super Kings are currently placed fifth on the IPL 2026 points table and remain in the playoff race.
With fans eagerly waiting for MS Dhoni’s return, all eyes will now be on CSK’s squad announcement and whether the legendary cricketer finally makes his comeback against LSG in Lucknow.
