Dhoni's calf setback delays CSK captain's return in IPL 2026

CSK skipper MS Dhoni faces extended absence due to a persistent calf injury delaying his comeback in IPL 2026.

Coach assesses injury impact CSK head coach Stephen Fleming described the calf muscle as a difficult area to recover from. He explained that another tear would likely end Dhoni's season prematurely, so the team chose to act cautiously. According to Fleming, Dhoni aggravated the injury during a warm-up match before later attempting to regain mobility. The coach acknowledged a recent setback in Dhoni's recovery progress despite ongoing rehabilitation efforts. ## Dhoni's management of the situation Fleming stressed that Dhoni is leading the decision regarding his return timeline. He confirmed the veteran cricketer has been diligently working with the physiotherapy team to complete his recovery program. The coach reiterated that progress is being made, though no definitive timeline has been set. Fleming emphasized that Dhoni's pace of healing should not be underestimated. ## Captain explains pre-season incident Four days prior, a CSK social media post featured captain Ruturaj Gaikwad describing the calf injury's origin. Gaikwad recalled Dhoni snapping the muscle during a practice game, which limited his mobility. He noted Dhoni observed young players in simulations and felt confident in their readiness for IPL action. Gaikwad added that Dhoni has since focused entirely on recovery, with gradual improvements visible. ## CSK's current standings and schedule CSK currently occupies the sixth position on the points table after completing eight matches, with three victories and five defeats. The team has six remaining fixtures in IPL 2026, including a home game against Mumbai Indians scheduled for May 2. Their next contest follows the recent eight-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans on Sunday.