MS Dhoni Likely to Miss First Two Weeks of IPL 2026

Chennai, Tamil Nadu | March 28, 2026

In a major setback for fans, MS Dhoni is likely to miss the first two weeks of the Indian Premier League 2026 season due to a calf strain, his franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) confirmed on Saturday.

CSK Confirms Injury Update

The franchise released an official statement stating that Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for the injury. As a result, he will not be available for the initial matches of the tournament.

This development comes as a significant concern for CSK, given Dhoni’s leadership and experience.

CSK’s Opening Match Without Dhoni

CSK will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign on March 30 against the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. However, Dhoni’s absence could impact the team’s early momentum.

Interestingly, the season also features major squad changes:

Sanju Samson has joined CSK
Ravindra Jadeja returns to Rajasthan Royals
Sam Curran will miss the tournament due to injury

Speculations Around Dhoni’s Final Season

There has been growing speculation that IPL 2026 could be Dhoni’s final season. The veteran cricketer has openly acknowledged his declining fitness, especially during recent fan events.

Due to ongoing knee and fitness concerns, Dhoni has adapted his role:

Batting in the lower-middle order
Focusing on finishing innings
Managing workload carefully

Dhoni’s IPL Legacy

Despite fitness challenges, Dhoni remains one of the greatest players in IPL history. His career stats highlight his impact:

Matches: 278
Runs: 5,439
Average: 38.30
Strike Rate: 137.45
Half-centuries: 24
Highest Score: 84*

He is currently the sixth-highest run-scorer in IPL history.

Dhoni’s absence in the initial phase of IPL 2026 is a significant blow for CSK and fans alike. However, with a strong squad and evolving leadership, the team will aim to perform well until their legendary captain returns.