Chennai Super Kings are preparing for a crucial mid-season fixture against Delhi Capitals on Saturday with two major injury concerns—MS Dhoni and Dewald Brevis—showing signs of improvement. The franchise is hopeful that both players can be available soon, after recent setbacks that forced them to miss earlier outings in IPL 2026.
Key takeaways
- MS Dhoni is expected to undergo a fitness assessment within the next few days, with a positive outcome potentially opening the door to playing vs Delhi Capitals.
- Dhoni sat out the opening three matches of IPL 2026 due to a calf injury, and his return has been handled cautiously following league protocols.
- Dewald Brevis has not featured in any IPL 2026 game for CSK so far because of a side strain, despite travelling for the RCB fixture.
- CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said Brevis is nearing full recovery and is likely to be available for the match against DC.
- CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad also indicated Dhoni is progressing steadily and that his comeback is on track, though timing still matters.
Dhoni’s fitness check and cautious return approach
MS Dhoni, the veteran wicket-keeper batter who has previously guided the franchise to five IPL titles, is reportedly nearing readiness ahead of CSK’s IPL 2026 clash with Delhi Capitals. The plan centers on a fitness test in the coming days; if the results are favourable, he is expected to return for the Saturday encounter.
Dhoni missed CSK’s first three matches of the season due to a calf strain. Although he attended several training sessions, he did not accompany the team travel because of established protocols. Footage from practice sessions circulated online, showing Dhoni working in the nets, but the team’s message has been clear: his comeback will not be rushed and he will only be cleared after he has fully recovered.
Brevis nears full recovery after side strain
Dewald Brevis, the South Africa youngster, has also had his IPL 2026 campaign interrupted. He has not played a single match for CSK in the competition so far after suffering a side strain. While he did travel to Bengaluru for CSK’s game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he was left out of the matchday squad.
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming later addressed Brevis’s status and sounded confident about his recovery trajectory. After CSK’s loss to RCB, Fleming said the team hopes Brevis will be fit for the next game, emphasizing the five-day gap between matches and the franchise’s conservative approach to ensure he is ready as planned.
Fleming’s comments were: “We hope he is going to be right for the next game. We have five days between the next game. We have been conservative and hopefully, these next five days go as well as we have planned, and he is ready to go. It’s a big loss but we are looking forward to getting him back.”
Gaikwad on Dhoni’s timeline and CSK’s current position
Earlier, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad offered a similar update when asked about the likelihood of Dhoni’s return. Gaikwad said Dhoni is progressing steadily and is eager to get back on the field, while also noting that the final step can take time.
Gaikwad added: “He is on track. He is getting there slowly, slowly. He is eager to play. But you know it takes time sometimes. It will be soon.”
With the team still finding its rhythm, CSK currently sit at the bottom of the IPL points table after losing their first three matches of the season. The potential return of Dhoni and Brevis could provide a significant boost as they look to turn things around against Delhi Capitals.
