The question on many cricket fans’ minds is: Is Dhoni playing IPL 2026? The answer, unfortunately, is no. MS Dhoni is expected to miss the start of the tournament due to a calf strain, which has sidelined him for at least the first two weeks of the season.
This injury was evident during CSK’s recent match against the Rajasthan Royals, where Dhoni was notably absent. This marked a significant moment in IPL history, as it was the first time that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) played without both Dhoni and Suresh Raina in the playing XI, a duo that has been synonymous with the team’s success.
In the match against Rajasthan Royals, CSK’s innings collapsed to just 127 runs in 19.4 overs, highlighting the impact of Dhoni’s absence. The team’s top order struggled significantly, and the loss was felt more as a stabilizing presence than as a guaranteed batting fix. As one observer noted, “CSK missed Dhoni more as a stabilising presence than as a guaranteed batting fix.”
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s impressive 52 runs off 17 balls for the Royals helped secure a comfortable victory, further emphasizing the challenges CSK faced without their veteran leader. The team’s performance has been under scrutiny, especially after finishing in 10th position in the IPL 2025 points table.
Historically, Dhoni has been a cornerstone for CSK, having played 278 matches and scored 5,439 runs at an average of 38.30. His last absence from an IPL match was in 2019, making this situation particularly poignant for fans and players alike.
As the tournament progresses, the question remains: How will CSK cope without their iconic captain? The team has already played five matches without Dhoni and four without Raina, and the results have been less than favorable.
While the immediate future looks uncertain for Dhoni, his contributions to the game and his leadership will always be remembered. Details remain unconfirmed regarding his potential return, but for now, fans will have to wait and see how CSK adapts in his absence.
