In a major setback for Chennai Super Kings and fans, former India captain MS Dhoni is set to miss at least the first two weeks of Indian Premier League 2026 due to a calf strain.
“MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026,” the franchise confirmed in a statement.
The 19th edition of the IPL kicks off on Saturday, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. CSK begin their campaign against the Rajasthan Royals on March 30 in Guwahati.
Earlier in the day, Dhoni was seen batting fluently in a recent practice simulation at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, showcasing glimpses of his vintage form.
With Dhoni unavailable, Sanju Samson is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties in the initial matches. Samson, who previously captained the Rajasthan Royals, is likely to play a key role as CSK aim for a record sixth IPL title under skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Meanwhile, former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has suggested a probable CSK playing XI in Dhoni’s absence. He has backed Samson to open alongside Gaikwad, followed by an aggressive middle order featuring Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube.
Ashwin’s lineup also includes spin options in Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad, while the pace attack features Matt Henry and Khaleel Ahmed.
Ashwin’s CSK XI:
Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Sarfaraz Khan/Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Player options: Anshul Kamboj, Shreyas Gopal, Ramakrishna Ghosh, and Rahul Chahar.
CSK head into IPL 2026 looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season, where they finished at the bottom of the table, their worst-ever campaign.