With Chennai Super Kings’ playoff chances hanging by a thread in IPL 2026 and the club set to host Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the build-up in Chepauk was dominated by one question: would MS Dhoni finally step onto the field? The CSK great, 44, has been absent from every match this season due to two separate calf injury issues, but on matchday he was seen arriving around the time CSK’s final home game of the year was getting underway—sparking fresh hope that he could return.
Key takeaways
- MS Dhoni missed the entire IPL 2026 campaign so far because of two calf injury setbacks.
- On Monday, Dhoni was spotted boarding CSK’s team bus and later entering the Chepauk venue shortly before the match began.
- Dhoni trained at the stadium on Sunday for roughly 40 minutes, working through throwdowns and facing spin bowlers.
- At the toss, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad ended the speculation by confirming Dhoni was not in the starting XI, while leaving the door open for the final league game.
- CSK’s playoff path depends on winning both remaining matches, including a trip to Ahmedabad to face Gujarat Titans in the last round.
Dhoni’s return talk gathers steam in Chepauk
Before the CSK vs SRH contest, the attention was largely on whether Dhoni would actually take part, and if he did, whether it would be as an Impact Player rather than a full role in the XI. The uncertainty persisted even after his visit, with some observers leaning toward a cautious approach—while others believed his presence at the ground suggested he might be ready to contribute in some capacity.
This was also a notable moment for Dhoni during IPL 2026: it was the first time he had reached a stadium on a match day, having remained in Chennai throughout his rehabilitation period.
What happened at the toss and what Gaikwad said
At the toss, Ruturaj Gaikwad brought clarity. Dhoni was still not named in the playing lineup, but Gaikwad did not rule out the possibility that the former India captain could feature in Chennai’s final league game.
After winning the toss, CSK opted to bat first against Hyderabad. Gaikwad also addressed the Dhoni situation directly, saying: “MS is still here but he is not fit enough to play this game. Hopefully we win this one and you’ll have a low in the last game.”
How CSK can still reach the playoffs
Looking beyond the Dhoni storyline, CSK’s route to the playoffs comes down to results in the final two league matches. The immediate requirement is straightforward: Chennai must win both remaining fixtures, including the last game against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
If CSK manage to win both, they would end the league stage with 16 points and could find themselves drawn into a four-team contest for three available playoff places.
However, if Chennai lose to Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday, qualification would shift dramatically. In that case, both Sunrisers and Gujarat would secure playoff spots. Chennai’s hopes would then depend on beating Gujarat in their final match and on multiple other outcomes going their way—specifically, defeats for Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in their remaining games.
There is also a further layer of complexity: if the race for qualification comes down to tie-breakers, CSK would need strong wins to improve their net run rate and strengthen their standing in any points-level scenario.
