Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was without their legendary former captain MS Dhoni for the first match of the IPL 2026 season. Dhoni has suffered a calf injury during pre-season and is officially expected to miss the first two weeks of CSK’s campaign, though reports suggest the absence could extend to the entire first half of the tournament.
“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,” CSK posted on X on Saturday morning.
While Dhoni’s presence as a figurehead remains invaluable, his on-field impact with the bat has been waning. The introduction of the Impact Player rule and the allowance for retired players to be considered as ‘uncapped’ has enabled CSK to retain him. However, the team is already preparing for life without Dhoni. Steps have been taken, including trading in Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) in-form and popular wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson. Having Dhoni play only a few matches this season before a probable retirement next year could provide a softer transition for fans, rather than a sudden departure.
When was the last time Dhoni missed a CSK match?
Before this injury, Dhoni last missed an IPL match for CSK on April 26, 2019, against the Mumbai Indians due to a fever.
Other CSK injury concerns
Dhoni isn’t the only player unavailable at the start of the season. South African middle-order star Dewald Brevis, who impressed last year, is recovering from a side strain and will miss the opening match. Australian fast bowler Nathan Ellis has been ruled out of the season, and his replacement, left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson, is not fully fit for the first half of the tournament.
CSK playing XI without MS Dhoni
CSK has named youngster Kartik Sharma as the wicketkeeper on his IPL debut. Representing his home state of Rajasthan against RR, the Chennai-based franchise’s playing XI is:
Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma (wk), Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed
