Fleming explains Dhoni’s injury setback and return delay

Five-time IPL title-holders Chennai Super Kings are still waiting for former skipper MS Dhoni to return to action, and the delay has come down to a setback in his recovery from a calf injury during a pre-season practice match.

The legendary wicketkeeper-batter was originally expected to miss only the first two weeks of IPL 2026. However, things didn’t go as planned after the injury flared up again.

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CSK head coach Stephen Fleming explained the situation after the team’s loss to Gujarat Titans on Sunday. “The calf is a tough one. If he takes off and rips the calf again, then he will be gone (for the whole season). So we pushed it early. In a warm-up game, he tweaked it again, is my understanding. And since then, he has been just working hard to get some movement into it. But there was a setback,” Fleming said.

Dhoni has been with the CSK squad since March, and there have been several videos on social media showing him taking part in practice sessions and net drills. Despite that, he has not featured in any of the team’s eight matches so far this season. He has also not been seen at the ground on match days.

At 44, Dhoni has played through injuries in the past, but this particular one is taking longer to recover from than the team had initially expected.

“But look, he’s the guide on this one,” Fleming said. “And he’s working hard with the physio and doing all the rehab. We’re just waiting for the word, really. But all I can keep saying, it’s not making light of this, he is progressing and doing everything.”

A few days ago, CSK shared a video on social media where current captain Ruturaj Gaikwad spoke about how the injury happened and how Dhoni has been dealing with it. “You know, we were playing a practice match. That’s when he snapped his calf and then he wasn’t able to run as comfortably as he wanted to.

“And I think after that, it was just about, he saw some of the youngsters playing in practice games and playing in match simulations where he felt confident enough on them, you know, who are ready, who have that ability to play in the IPL.

“After that, it was just about taking time on his recovery. Slowly, slowly, he is getting there. Never know, maybe next game, maybe after that, but definitely one day for sure,” he added.

For now, CSK are taking a cautious approach with Dhoni’s recovery and are not rushing him back into action.

Meanwhile, the team’s campaign has been a mixed one so far. Chennai Super Kings are currently sixth on the points table after eight matches, with three wins and five losses. They still have six games left in the league stage, with their next match scheduled at home against traditional rivals Mumbai Indians on May 2.