Ashwin Speculates Dhoni May Return Only If CSK Exited IPL 2026 Playoff Race

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes MS Dhoni may only return for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) if the team is knocked out of the IPL 2026 playoff race. CSK have won only three of their eight matches so far IPL 2026 season, but there is still no clear update on Dhoni's comeback. Since the start of the tournament, Dhoni has been dealing with a calf injury. He was expected to return for CSK's last match against Gujarat Titans, but that did not happen.

Ashwin, who was part of the CSK squad last season, shared his view on his YouTube channel and said the franchise would not want to take any risk while they are still in the race for the playoffs. "If CSK gets out of the tournament, then MS Dhoni might play. CSK are still in the tournament, so why will they take the risk now? I still feel that CSK have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. But yeah, it is difficult. The way CSK have played in the last five matches, it has given them a little confidence. CSK's bowling is firing, if their batting fires, they can put together three wins on the bounce," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Earlier, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming had also said that Dhoni's injury is serious enough that the team cannot rush him back. Fleming explained that if Dhoni returns too early and injures the calf again, he could miss the rest of the season. "The calf is a tough one, though. If he takes off and rips it again, then he will be gone. We pushed it early, and in the warm-up game he tweaked it again, it's my understanding. Since then, he has just been working hard to get some movement into it, but there was a setback, so it has taken longer than we thought. He is the guide on this one, and he's working hard with the physio and doing all the rehab, and we're just waiting for the word. All I can say is stop making light of it, as he is progressing and doing everything he can," Fleming said on Sunday after CSK's loss.

Ashwin also said CSK should focus fully on their next match against Mumbai Indians and try to win the remaining games. "If CSK has to stay in the tournament, they have to win the next game. If you can win against MI, you can be back in the mid-table muddle. All of the matches CSK have remaining, they will be playing on good batting wickets, and even Ruturaj is back in form. Winning four of six matches is not that hard," he added.