MS Dhoni missed his eighth consecutive match for the Chennai Super Kings. It is the first time that the former Indian Captain has missed this many matches
for his franchise.
The five-time champions have climbed back into play-off contention, entering the Gujarat Titans clash buoyed by a 103-run win over the Mumbai Indians and sitting fifth on the table with a healthy net run-rate, and team planners estimate that winning five of the remaining seven league matches should keep a top-four berth within reach.
MS Dhoni And The Selection Maze Of CSK
This delicate situation has led to a selection dilemma for Chennai Super Kings ahead of the Gujarat Titans contest at Chepauk, as Dhoni is said to have told the Chennai Super Kings think-tank not to disturb the current balance, especially with younger players finally settling into their roles during a crucial phase of the IPL 2026 campaign.
Head coach Stephen Fleming has continued to present a careful public line on MS Dhoni's status for Chennai Super Kings against Gujarat Titans, saying the medical staff are still tracking progress and choosing not to commit on a comeback date, stating, "He's progressing well. He's on the road to recovery and doing everything that's being asked of him," while leaving the final call open.
CSK vs GT: Is MS Dhoni Still Injured?
According to a report by the Indian Express, MS Dhoni has recovered from the calf injury that kept him out of Chennai Super Kings' first two weeks, yet Dhoni is hesitant to reclaim a spot from a younger player, particularly with Chennai Super Kings fielding an almost unchanged side during the recent away wins before facing the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026.
The veteran had missed the early matches after a calf strain, went through a structured rehabilitation phase, then passed a fitness test and travelled with Chennai Super Kings to Hyderabad and Mumbai, but despite taking part in full training sessions, MS Dhoni did not feature in the starting XI for those fixtures against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026.
At Wankhede, where many expected a Chennai Super Kings comeback, MS Dhoni completed an intense practice session on the eve of the game, yet on match day, Dhoni again stayed away from the dugout, and Kartik Sharma remained in the middle order for Chennai Super Kings, prompting batting coach Mike Hussey to explain the thinking around Dhoni's IPL 2026 participation.
Hussey said MS Dhoni has impressed Chennai Super Kings coaches in the nets but stressed that match readiness was critical, explaining, "He is progressing really well. He has been really pushing hard to get back as quickly as possible. I know all the fans would like to see Dhoni out there playing as well. We are hopeful, maybe in the coming few games. We want him as quickly as possible. But obviously, he needs to be closer to 100 per cent fit, ready to give his best. He has been batting really well in the nets, he looks good in the nets, just need him running hard between the wickets too," the former Australian added.
CSK vs GT: Has Samson Filled In The Shoes Of MSD?
A key factor behind MS Dhoni's reluctance to alter the Chennai Super Kings side lies in the smooth progress of Sanju Samson with the gloves in IPL 2026. Hussey noted that wicketkeeping itself is not the main concern, saying, "I'm pretty sure he will be behind the stumps. "
However, Chennai Super Kings are more focused on Dhoni's fitness, particularly his calf injury. As Hussey explained, "The biggest thing is he has had a calf injury, so just the running and later in the innings when he comes in, having to scamper the ones and twos, we just need to make sure the calf is strong to withstand that. But certainly from a skill perspective, we know what he can do as a keeper, and he has been batting well. So it is about getting confidence in the calf," highlighting why the Gujarat Titans game in IPL 2026 may still not guarantee Dhoni's return.
