Uncertainty over MS Dhoni’s fitness continues to shadow Chennai Super Kings as the franchise gears up to welcome Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday. Despite the league now moving into its third week of IPL 2026, the wicketkeeper-batter’s return timeline remains unclear following a calf problem that prompted a rehab stint and a warning that he could miss the opening fortnight.
Key takeaways
- Chennai had already indicated on March 28 that MS Dhoni was likely to miss the first two weeks due to a calf injury and would be sent for rehabilitation.
- On Monday night, Dhoni took part in only the closing phase of a three-hour Chepauk practice session, without wicketkeeping work.
- In the nets, Dhoni faced throwdowns from support staff, including batting coach Mike Hussey, and struck shots over midwicket and into the “J” stand.
- Chennai’s skipper was absent from the first four matches, including the away fixtures in Guwahati and Bengaluru, and did not appear on match days at Chepauk.
- Sanju Samson has been keeping wickets for CSK in Dhoni’s absence, with a notable recovery after a tough start to the tournament.
- CSK are also monitoring Spencer Johnson’s availability after he returned to bowling but was delayed by a back injury.
Dhoni’s limited practice fuels fresh questions
With IPL 2026 entering its third week, Dhoni’s availability is still not confirmed as CSK prepare for their Tuesday evening encounter with Kolkata Knight Riders. Chennai completed a three-hour training block at Chepauk on Monday night, which concluded at around 9:00 pm IST, and Dhoni took part only during the final stretch of the session.
During that time, Dhoni did not carry out wicketkeeping drills. Instead, he focused on batting work against throwdowns delivered by members of the support staff, including batting coach Mike Hussey. When Hussey fed the ball into the slot, Dhoni struck it cleanly over the midwicket boundary. On another occasion from a similar area, he again cleared the ropes, this time sending the ball into the “J” stand on the leg side.
While those shots suggest he can still generate power, the overall pattern—namely his brief involvement and lack of wicketkeeping practice—has added to the concern about whether he is genuinely nearing full fitness. That, in turn, has raised the possibility that the 44-year-old may have to miss the KKR match, with attention shifting to CSK’s next assignment against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
How CSK have managed without Dhoni
Dhoni missed all of Chennai’s first four games in IPL 2026. The former champions got off to a difficult start, winning none of their first three matches and slipping to the bottom of the standings, before turning their campaign around with a home victory over Delhi Capitals last week.
Beyond the early slump, Dhoni also did not travel with the squad for either of CSK’s away fixtures—those in Guwahati and Bengaluru. He also was not spotted on match days during Chennai’s Chepauk games while the injury uncertainty lingered.
Even with Dhoni unavailable, head coach Stephen Fleming had addressed the situation earlier. Ahead of the opening game in Guwahati, Fleming said Dhoni remained “heavily involved in the side” and that his influence within the group was “very strong.”
With Dhoni absent, wicketkeeping duties have fallen to Sanju Samson, who joined Chennai after being traded from Rajasthan Royals. Samson’s early returns were uneven, showing a dip in form during the first three matches, but he regained momentum against Delhi. In that game, Samson struck an unbeaten century, underlining his ability to anchor and accelerate when required.
In the closing overs, Chennai have also benefited from big-hitting impact. England all-rounder Jamie Overton has shown flashes of match-winning power in the finishing role.
Updates on Spencer Johnson and Chennai’s squad planning
Alongside Dhoni’s situation, CSK are also waiting for clarity on Spencer Johnson’s status. Johnson was brought in as a replacement for the injured Nathan Ellis, but the Australian suffered a back injury after his recruitment. The expectation is that Johnson will be able to link up with the team next week, after resuming bowling.
CSK bowling coach Eric Simons set the tone after Chennai’s Saturday win over Delhi Capitals, explaining that while Johnson’s pace and skill set are valuable, the team is still assessing how much he can contribute in the current season. Simons said it was an important acquisition, but that they were not yet sure about the precise role he would play this year, while also emphasizing that Johnson possesses “tremendous attributes” based on what he has shown and how he has looked as a player.
