IPL 2026: Major setback for Chennai Super Kings as MS Dhoni set to miss early matches, deets inside
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "IPL 2026: Major setback for Chennai Super Kings as MS Dhoni set to miss early matches, deets inside")
MS Dhoni Photograph: (AFP)
The five-time champions Chennai Super Kings will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on Mar 30 in Guwahati.
Former India captain MS Dhoni is set to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026 while undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain, delivering a significant setback to five-time champions Chennai Super Kings, the team confirmed on Saturday (Mar 28). The legendary wicketkeeper-batter, who has struggled with injuries in recent years, is expected to miss the first four matches of 2026 season for the franchise. In his absence, wicketkeeping duties are likely to be taken over by either Sanju Samson or Urvil Patel.
“MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of TATA IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala,” CSK wrote in their statement on social media.
Since retiring from international cricket in Aug 2020, Dhoni has focused solely on the Indian Premier League. In the previous season, he played all 14 matches for the Super Kings, scoring 196 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17. He also resumed captaincy duties early in the campaign after Ruturaj Gaikwad was sidelined with an elbow injury.
At the age of 44, any appearance by Dhoni in this edition would make him the oldest Indian to play in the league, surpassing former Mumbai Indians leg-spinner Praveen Tambe.
He also continues to hold the record for the most IPL appearances and is one of only four players, along with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Manish Pandey, who have participated in all 19 seasons. Across 278 matches, he has amassed 5,439 runs and recorded 205 dismissals as a wicketkeeper.
The 2023 champions will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Mar 30.
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