MS Dhoni’s much-anticipated return to full action for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026 could take longer than first expected, with the 44-year-old still appearing to move through the final steps of his calf recovery. Even though he has been training alongside the squad, his work in the nets suggests he is not yet ready for the intensity required in match play.
Dhoni’s comeback timeline and latest training
- On March 28, the opening day of the season, CSK announced that Dhoni was “likely to miss the first two weeks” and would be sent through a rehab plan.
- While Dhoni has been present with teammates, his sessions have been limited to throwdowns; he has not yet faced full-speed, fully committed batting scenarios.
- On Monday, ahead of CSK’s home fixture against Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk, Dhoni took part in a brief late-stage net session under lights. He still capped his batting to facing throwdowns rather than longer, higher-pressure batting spells.
- In the nets, batting coach Mike Hussey fed a ball that rose and brushed the splice of Dhoni’s bat. Dhoni then redirected the next delivery from his lower hand, finding the midwicket boundary.
- Dhoni followed that up by striking another slot ball into the “J” stand on the leg side before CSK concluded their three-hour training session at 9:00 pm IST. He did not keep wicket during the session.
Dhoni has so far missed all four of CSK’s matches this season and could also sit out the game on Tuesday. He has not travelled with the squad for away contests in Guwahati and Bengaluru, nor has he been part of the match-day trips to Chepauk.
Even with Dhoni sidelined by injury, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming stressed in the team’s first press interaction of the season in Guwahati that Dhoni remains “heavily involved” and that his impact in the dressing room is still “very strong.” With Dhoni unavailable behind the stumps, Sanju Samson—acquired from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the season—has taken over wicketkeeping duties. Jamie Overton, the England allrounder, has also shown flashes of his power as a finishing option.
CSK’s wicketkeeping depth has been strengthened further by Kartik Sharma, whom they bought for INR 14.2 crore at the mini-auction in December last year, while Urvil Patel is available in the reserve list.
Dhoni’s recent batting role and season-by-season scoring patterns
In recent IPL campaigns, Dhoni has largely settled into a defined late-innings pattern—battling through a short run of deliveries per appearance, aiming to send each ball into the stands. His strike rate stood at 182 in 2023 and rose to 221 in 2024. Last season, however, he had to face 145 balls—more than the combined totals of 57 from 2023 and 73 from 2024—and he struggled to maintain momentum, finishing with a strike rate of 135.
Spencer Johnson’s expected arrival and bowling staff outlook
CSK are also monitoring the return of Spencer Johnson, who has been named as Nathan Ellis’s replacement. Johnson is working through his own back injury and is expected to join the CSK group around April 21 to 23.
Ryan Harris, Johnson’s domestic coach at South Australia and a former Australia fast bowler, recently said that the left-arm quick has resumed bowling and is building up his workload.
After CSK’s win over Delhi Capitals on Saturday, CSK bowling coach Eric Simons outlined the uncertainty around Johnson’s immediate role. “I mean to have someone like him with his pace and great skills is an important one, [but] we’re not sure how much of a role he’ll play this year,” Simons said. “But that’s fine, he’s a fantastic acquisition to us. For me, I have not worked with him specifically, but I’ve watched him and it’s very clear that he has got some tremendous attributes.”
With Dhoni still not in full training rhythm and CSK waiting for Johnson’s phased return, the franchise’s campaign has started under pressure. CSK have managed just one win from their first four matches and currently sit second from the bottom of the points table.
