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MS Dhoni has been ruled out of the first two weeks of IPL 2026 after suffering a calf muscle strain, Chennai Super Kings confirmed on Saturday. His absence is a major setback for CSK as they begin their campaign against Rajasthan Royals.
CSK Confirm MS Dhoni’s Early Absence from IPL 2026 Season
New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has suffered a major setback ahead of the start of IPL 2026. Veteran player and former captain MS Dhoni will be out of action for the first two weeks due to injury. The franchise confirmed this in an official statement on Saturday. According to the team, Dhoni has a calf muscle strain, which has led to rest and rehabilitation.
CSK is set to begin its IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Monday evening, but Dhoni will not be part of the team for this match, as well as several other opening matches. His absence has caused disappointment among fans, as a large number of spectators remain glued to the stadium and television sets to watch Dhoni.
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In Dhoni's absence, the team management may assign wicketkeeping duties to new options. According to reports, Sanju Samson, who was recently added to the team via trade, could be given this role. Samson's arrival is likely to alter the team's strategy, as he can also play a key role in the batting order.
Official Statement
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! 💛🦁 pic.twitter.com/4dgmt5EWFi
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 28, 2026
In a major trade prior to IPL 2026, CSK traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals to add Sanju Samson to the team. This decision had already generated considerable discussion, and now Dhoni's injury has made the team combination even more challenging. The team management will have to strike a new balance in the initial matches.
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After retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni has been seen playing exclusively in the IPL. Last season, he scored 196 runs in 14 matches, with a strike rate of 135.17. He also took over the captaincy duties when regular captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out due to injury.
The news of Dhoni's absence from the initial matches has certainly disappointed fans, but everyone is hopeful that he will recover and return to the field soon. CSK also shared a message on social media wishing their star player a speedy recovery.
