MS Dhoni Calf Injury Worsens During Warm-Up Game, Return Delayed Indefinitely

MS Dhoni's return from a calf strain has been delayed after the injury became worse during a warm-up game before IPL 2026. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming gave the update after CSK lost by eight wickets to Gujarat Titans at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

Dhoni has been with the squad since March and has been seen in practice sessions and warm-up games, but he has not played any of CSK's eight matches so far. He has also not been at the ground on match days.

Fleming said the injury remains a concern because another setback could rule Dhoni out for the whole season. "The calf is a tough one," CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said after they went down to Gujarat Titans by eight wickets on Sunday. "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."

The 44-year-old has played IPL matches in the past while carrying injuries, but this time the recovery is taking longer than CSK expected. Four days ago, CSK had also shared a video on social media where captain Ruturaj Gaikwad explained what happened before the season. "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," he said. "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."

CSK are currently sixth on the IPL 2026 points table after eight matches, with three wins and five losses. They have six league matches left this season, and their next game will be at home against Mumbai Indians on May 2.