MS Dhoni\u2019s involvement in Chennai Super Kings\u2019 IPL 2026 showdown with arch-rivals Mumbai Indians on Thursday remains uncertain, with the final decision expected to be made by the 44-year-old himself. CSK\u2019s bowling coach Eric Simmons said the franchise\u2019s medical team will examine Dhoni on matchday, but stressed that the ultimate call will rest with Dhoni if he feels he is fit enough to compete. \u201cA decision on him (Dhoni) will be taken tomorrow by him and the medical staff, if he is absolutely ready to go,\u201d Simmons said on the eve of the fixture.<\/p>\n
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, meanwhile, did not put a specific date on Dhoni\u2019s return, but made it clear that the veteran wicketkeeper-batter is closing in on action. Gaikwad explained that Dhoni picked up the injury during a practice game, snapping his calf, and that the team has since focused on giving him the time needed to recover properly. \u201cWe were playing a practice match which is where he snapped his calf. He wasn\u2019t been able to run as comfortably as he would like to due to the injury. Since then, it\u2019s been all about taking time on his recovery. He is getting there slowly. Maybe, he might feature in the next game or the one after that. He will back one day definitely,\u201d Gaikwad said at an event.<\/p>\n
Dhoni\u2019s progress was visible earlier this week as he completed his first wicketkeeping session of the IPL 2026 campaign at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday. The veteran has been missing from CSK\u2019s lineup for the team\u2019s first six matches while working his way back from that calf strain, with his return now being weighed carefully as the season moves into the crucial stages of the league phase.<\/p>\n
CSK\u2019s campaign so far has not been smooth. After six IPL 2026 fixtures, the five-time champions have managed just two wins, and they were left disappointed in their most recent match as they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 10 runs. That defeat has left CSK placed eighth in the points table as they prepare for their next assignment at the Wankhede Stadium.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Chennai will take on Mumbai Indians on April 23, with the Wankhede Stadium set to host the rivalry contest. Ahead of that clash, CSK also absorbed another setback as Ayush Mhatre\u2014an in-form and key performer for the side\u2014has been ruled out of IPL 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MS Dhoni\u2019s involvement in Chennai Super Kings\u2019 IPL 2026 showdown with arch-rivals Mumbai Indians on Thursday remains uncertain, with the final decision expected to be…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":4480,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Dhoni\u2019s CSK vs MI IPL 2026 Return: Matchday Check","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"CSK\u2019s bowling coach says Dhoni will undergo a matchday medical check before CSK vs MI, but the final decision rests with Dhoni himself.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4481","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n