NEW DELHI: One question has refused to fade from CSK circles on social media — when will MS Dhoni return to action, and will he be available for today’s outing? Dhoni has not yet played a match this season because of a calf injury, and the uncertainty has resurfaced again after CSK’s bowling coach Eric Simons spoke to the media ahead of the IPL 2026 encounter between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings.
Simons indicated that Dhoni has not made the trip for the away fixture in Delhi, while also stressing that the wicketkeeper-batter is progressing steadily. With more than half the league stage already completed, CSK are preparing for their tenth match of a campaign that has not quite met expectations, and the 44-year-old’s IPL future continues to attract heavy speculation, as it has done in every season since his international retirement.
Dhoni injury update and CSK’s preparation
- Simons said any decision on Dhoni’s availability is not something he can directly predict, noting that the former India captain is not with the team in Delhi but is improving.
- He added that Dhoni will play when he feels ready, emphasizing that the timing is ultimately in Dhoni’s hands and based on his own readiness.
- Dhoni, meanwhile, has been working in the nets recently, which is why the first question at the pre-match interaction naturally circled back to his return.
Bowling coach praises Anshul Kamboj’s impact
While the Dhoni question dominated the early part of the conversation, Simons also turned attention to CSK’s bowling resources, offering high praise for Anshul Kamboj. He highlighted Kamboj’s performances across phases and pointed out that the pacer is currently the joint leading wicket-taker for the side with 17 wickets.
Simons explained that Kamboj’s work has been built over time rather than being a sudden spike in output. He said Kamboj had gone away for training and returned to the setup with a more refined plan, including improvements aimed at better accuracy with yorkers. He also referenced CSK’s tactical shift around the bowling approach, including the use of round-the-wicket variations.
According to Simons, those details — especially the smaller nuances of bowling from around the wicket — are what make Kamboj particularly difficult to face. He credited the bowler with taking wickets while also being able to slow the run rate, adding that the foundation of his effectiveness is professionalism, reflected in the way he trains.
Simons further described what he looks for when assessing a modern fast bowler: clarity of intent. He said that if you watched Kamboj train and how he understands what he wants to do, the approach would look simple and well-defined — from his tactics to his field placements. In Simons’ view, Kamboj leaves little room for confusion on the day’s plan, with no “grey area” in his execution.
CSK in the standings: must-win mindset
On the results front, CSK are heading into the Delhi fixture with four wins from nine matches, placing them in a must-win zone if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive. With only five league games remaining, they cannot afford slip-ups.
The team arrives in the capital after a convincing win over Mumbai Indians, a result that has helped restore momentum. Even so, the situation is tight, and the gap between the top group and the rest has grown — a reality Simons acknowledged.
Still, he expressed confidence that CSK can qualify from here, insisting that they control their own destiny. Simons said that although the league has separated a little, the side knows it can beat any opponent and that if they keep playing close to their best, there is no reason they cannot climb to the upper end of the table. He concluded by saying that when CSK perform to their potential, they become extremely hard to challenge.
