There are no signs of cricket veterans MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as their respective IPL teams get ready for another marquee clash in IPL 2026. Mumbai captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bat first, surprisingly so, given that the chasing team has won all four matches this season thus far. While Mumbai made one change, bringing in uncapped Raghu Sharma, with Krish Bhagat replacing Ashwani, hosts Chennai Super Kings made several changes, picking up bowling all-rounder Ramakrishna Ghosh (for Gurjapneet) and Prashant Veer in for overseas all-rounder Akeal Hossain.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 TOSS 🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/mipaltan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mipaltan</a> have won the toss and will bat first against <a href="https://twitter.com/ChennaiIPL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChennaiIPL</a> Updates ▶️ <a href="https://t.co/VVAjldiiC0">https://t.co/VVAjldiiC0</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TATAIPL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TATAIPL</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KhelBindaas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KhelBindaas</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CSKvMI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CSKvMI</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ad8xV5Adku">pic.twitter.com/Ad8xV5Adku</a>&mdash; IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/2050571440450343213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>Check out the two teams</h3>CSK XI vs MI - Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Prashant Veer, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary&nbsp;MI XI vs CSK – Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Naman Dhir, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Robin Minz, Trent Boult, Krish Bhagat, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar<h3>Here’s what the two captains said,</h3>&nbsp;Mumbai captain, Pandya – “During (T20) World Cup, we played Zim here. After last game, we think we need to give batters the chance to play freely. Have to play our best cricket in a must-win situation. Mood has been good, it's been challenging. Lots to play far. Give the best chance to qualify and play for pride. Just need to play good cricket overall. We've lost games in 2-3 overs. Shouldn't drop half-chances, create half-chances. One debut - leggie Raghu plays for us. Krish comes back for Ashwani.”&nbsp;Chennai captain, Gaikwad – “We were looking to bat but wicket looks good. Bit dry, don't think it'll change. Last game was difficult; we recovered well after losing early wickets. The message is to keep it simple... Couple of changes: Ghosh comes in for Gurjapneet, Prashant Veer comes in for Akeal.”&nbsp;Meanwhile, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma continue to recover from their respective injuries. Dhoni is out with a calf injury and Rohit with a hamstring injury.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Huge blow for fans at Chepauk as MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma miss the marquee CSK vs MI clash! Hardik Pandya wins the toss and elects to bat first in Chennai. Get the confirmed Playing XIs, team sheets, and latest injury updates for this IPL 2026 blockbuster.

There are no signs of cricket veterans MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as their respective IPL teams get ready for another marquee clash in IPL 2026. Mumbai captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bat first, surprisingly so, given that the chasing team has won all four matches this season thus far. While Mumbai made one change, bringing in uncapped Raghu Sharma, with Krish Bhagat replacing Ashwani, hosts Chennai Super Kings made several changes, picking up bowling all-rounder Ramakrishna Ghosh (for Gurjapneet) and Prashant Veer in for overseas all-rounder Akeal Hossain.

Huge blow for fans at Chepauk as MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma miss the marquee CSK vs MI clash! Hardik Pandya wins the toss and elects to bat first in Chennai. Get the confirmed Playing XIs, team sheets, and latest injury updates for this IPL 2026 blockbuster.

IPL 2026: No MS Dhoni for CSK, Rohit for MI as Pandya elects to bat first at Chepauk; check team sheets

Every time CSK plays an IPL 2026 game, everyone wonders whether MS Dhoni will be back in action. And although he continues to recover from the calf injury he sustained ahead of the season, Dhoni makes headlines every time his IPL franchise is in action. The whole cycle continues as CSK hosts old-foes Mumbai Indians on Saturday evening (May 2), with all eyes on Dhoni’s anticipated comeback to the cricket field. But is he fit? Will he play against Mumbai? His former IPL and India teammate Ravichandran Ashwin predicts the wait might continue.&nbsp;CSK has played eight matches so far, winning three and losing the remaining five, while sitting in seventh spot on the points table. With plenty at stake and to fight for, importantly in Dhoni’s absence, they take on the Mumbai Indians in Chennai. MS Dhoni’s side, however, won the previous contest between the two almost a week earlier in Wankhede in a lop-sided tie, aiming to do a double on the visitors. &nbsp;While the onus is also on Rohit Sharma’s fitness, who has missed a few games due to an injury, Dhoni will keep hogging all attention as the toss time approaches. Speaking on his YouTube channel about their chances of attaining full fitness and playing Saturday’s marquee clash, Ashwin said, &nbsp;“I don’t know about Rohit Sharma, but Dhoni won’t play 100 per cent, I don’t think so. He can surprise as well because he’s that kind of guy, but I don’t think Dhoni will play.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-will-ms-dhoni-and-rohit-sharma-play-csk-vs-mi-clash-coaches-share-update-1777697469727">IPL 2026: Will MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma play CSK vs MI clash? Coaches share update</a>&nbsp;“I think Rohit will also not play, but it is a good chance for Suryakumar Yadav to come back in form because he’ll not get a better wicket for batting,” Ashwin remarked. &nbsp;Earlier, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey also commented on Dhoni’s potential comeback to the playing XI for the remainder of this season, saying MS came very close to being 100 per cent but decided against taking up a youngster’s spot as the team looks like maintaining the winning combination in the quest for a playoff spot.<h3>Ashwin backs Sarfaraz at three</h3>Sarfaraz has shown glimpses of form during his brief stays thus far this tournament, but a lack of clarity on his batting position and role has restricted him from opening his arms and scoring runs at will. With no Aayush Mhatre at three, CSK are yet to finalise his replacement for that spot. &nbsp;“I am saying just one thing, Chennai should lock Sarfaraz Khan to No. 3. Don’t keep him in impact because he has been your best batter this season apart from Sanju Samson. So, fix him at No. 3,” Ashwin continued. &nbsp;Meanwhile, should Mumbai lose this away fixture against Chennai, their chances of qualifying for the playoffs would be all but over.&nbsp;

Will MS Dhoni play against Mumbai Indians? As CSK hosts MI on May 2, Ravichandran Ashwin shares a major injury update on Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Plus, why Ashwin believes Sarfaraz Khan is the key to Chennai's playoff hopes. Get the latest IPL 2026 team news here.

Every time CSK plays an IPL 2026 game, everyone wonders whether MS Dhoni will be back in action. And although he continues to recover from the calf injury he sustained ahead of the season, Dhoni makes headlines every time his IPL franchise is in action. The whole cycle continues as CSK hosts old-foes Mumbai Indians on Saturday evening (May 2), with all eyes on Dhoni’s anticipated comeback to the cricket field. But is he fit? Will he play against Mumbai? His former IPL and India teammate Ravichandran Ashwin predicts the wait might continue. CSK has played eight matches so far, winning three and losing the remaining five, while sitting in seventh spot on the points table. With plenty at stake and to fight for, importantly in Dhoni’s absence, they take on the Mumbai Indians in Chennai. MS Dhoni’s side, however, won the previous contest between the two almost a week earlier in Wankhede in a lop-sided tie, aiming to do a double on the visitors. While the onus is also on Rohit Sharma’s fitness, who has missed a few games due to an injury, Dhoni will keep hogging all attention as the toss time approaches. Speaking on his YouTube channel about their chances of attaining full fitness and playing Saturday’s marquee clash, Ashwin said, “I don’t know about Rohit Sharma, but Dhoni won’t play 100 per cent, I don’t think so. He can surprise as well because he’s that kind of guy, but I don’t think Dhoni will play. Also read | IPL 2026: Will MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma play CSK vs MI clash? Coaches share update “I think Rohit will also not play, but it is a good chance for Suryakumar Yadav to come back in form because he’ll not get a better wicket for batting,” Ashwin remarked. Earlier, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey also commented on Dhoni’s potential comeback to the playing XI for the remainder of this season, saying MS came very close to being 100 per cent but decided against taking up a youngster’s spot as the team looks like maintaining the winning combination in the quest for a playoff spot. Ashwin backs Sarfaraz at three Sarfaraz has shown glimpses of form during his brief stays thus far this tournament, but a lack of clarity on his batting position and role has restricted him from opening his arms and scoring runs at will. With no Aayush Mhatre at three, CSK are yet to finalise his replacement for that spot. “I am saying just one thing, Chennai should lock Sarfaraz Khan to No. 3. Don’t keep him in impact because he has been your best batter this season apart from Sanju Samson. So, fix him at No. 3,” Ashwin continued. Meanwhile, should Mumbai lose this away fixture against Chennai, their chances of qualifying for the playoffs would be all but over.

Will MS Dhoni play against Mumbai Indians? As CSK hosts MI on May 2, Ravichandran Ashwin shares a major injury update on Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Plus, why Ashwin believes Sarfaraz Khan is the key to Chennai's playoff hopes. Get the latest IPL 2026 team news here.

Will MS Dhoni play against Mumbai Indians? Ex-CSK teammate drops prediction, says ‘…100 per cent’

ms-dhoni-playing-today

Ms Dhoni Playing Today, News on Ms Dhoni Playing Today, stories on Ms Dhoni Playing Today, articles on Ms Dhoni Playing Today, Ms Dhoni Playing Today stories at Wion, Ms Dhoni Playing Today news, Ms Dhoni Playing Today latest news

ms dhoni-playing-today

IPL 2026: No MS Dhoni for CSK, Rohit for MI as Pandya elects to bat first at Chepauk; check team sheets

Will MS Dhoni play against MI? R Ashwin drops prediction, says ‘…100 per cent’