CHENNAI: With Chennai Super Kings set to host Sunrisers Hyderabad for their last home fixture of IPL 2026 on Monday, the pre-match spotlight has narrowed to a single, burning question at Chepauk: will MS Dhoni take his place on the field?
Dhoni’s Chepauk availability becomes the dominant talking point
- Anticipation has been building since Dhoni’s understated yet intriguing training routine on the day before the game, prompting supporters to comb through every detail for clues on whether he is ready to play.
- Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin then moved the debate sharply in one direction with a direct social media post that quickly went viral.
- In the message, Ashwin wrote: “Not happening today! In 2027? May be. Don’t think any batting changes will happen. Akeal Hosein in?”—a line that fans interpreted as a strong hint that Dhoni might not be included in the starting XI.
- The timing and wording of Ashwin’s post reignited fresh discussion about Dhoni’s role in the squad and, more broadly, his future plans.
- CSK’s own social media activity added another layer to the speculation when the franchise asked fans to remain after the match for a traditional “Lap of Honour,” sparking renewed retirement chatter online.
- CSK’s post read: “It’s time to give back to you, Superfans. Stay back and be a part of our annual ritual – Lap of Honour!” ahead of the Chepauk encounter.
The overall mood around the venue has intensified as uncertainty lingers, especially with CSK still mathematically in the mix for a potential playoff surge. Ticket demand has reportedly climbed steadily, with Chepauk expected to be packed for what could turn out to be one of the season’s most emotionally charged nights.
Training session details deepen the mystery
A report has also added fuel to the intrigue, describing Dhoni’s match-eve routine as another potential indicator. He was seen stepping out at 6:30 PM in padded gear and heading to the indoor nets without a trainer for the first time in several weeks.
After some light stretching, Dhoni reportedly spent close to half an hour in the nets. During that period, he faced throwdowns and spin, including clearing the boundary multiple times. He then returned to the dressing room by 7:30 PM.
Dhoni’s availability has remained the central storyline of CSK’s campaign. He has previously missed matches due to injury-related concerns, and later also stepped away from selection considerations in order to help the team maintain balance within the XI. Even so, the question of whether he will finally be seen in action at Chepauk continues to dominate the build-up.
Ashwin previously hinted Dhoni could still play
While Ashwin’s latest post appeared to lean heavily towards Dhoni not featuring on Monday, his earlier comments had kept the door open. He had suggested that Dhoni had been fit for some time and could still be part of the playing group.
Ahead of the game, Ashwin had said: “I have a feeling that against Sunrisers Hyderabad, there is a good chance of MS Dhoni playing.”
With the franchise’s “Lap of Honour” invite and the conflicting signals from Dhoni’s routine and Ashwin’s remarks, the final home game at Chepauk now carries added weight—both for the points race and for what it could mean emotionally for CSK fans.
