CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said MS Dhoni\u2019s much-awaited return to the Chennai playing XI has been pushed back again after the former captain aggravated his calf. Dhoni had originally been ruled out for the opening fortnight of the current IPL due to a calf problem. Yet with nearly a month having passed since the tournament started, CSK have already played eight matches without Dhoni in the squad.<\/p>\n
Fleming addressed the situation after CSK suffered their fifth defeat of the campaign, confirming that Dhoni tweaked his calf during a warm-up game. \u201cHe\u2019s pretty keen,\u201d Fleming said, speaking about Dhoni\u2019s eagerness to come back. \u201cThe calf is a tough one though. If he goes for it and tears the calf again, then he will be out. So we brought it forward, and in the warm-up game he tweaked it again, that\u2019s my understanding. Since then he\u2019s been working hard to get some movement back, but there was a setback, which is why it has taken longer than we thought.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even though Dhoni has not been named in the playing group, he has continued to be seen batting in the nets, where his work has largely involved facing throwdowns. The uncertainty around his availability has been a major talking point leading into CSK\u2019s recent fixtures. On Saturday, April 25, Dhoni was spotted running alongside the physio before returning to the nets, where he faced spinners as well as throwdowns. The throwdowns in the session also came under the guidance of batting coach Michael Hussey.<\/p>\n
Fleming elaborated further on Sunday, saying Dhoni is being led carefully through his rehabilitation. \u201cHe is the guide on this one, and he\u2019s working hard with the physio and doing all the rehab, and we\u2019re just waiting for the word,\u201d he said. \u201cBut all I can keep saying is stop making light of it, as he is progressing and doing everything he can.\u201d<\/p>\n
With five defeats from eight matches, CSK currently sit sixth in the points table. They now have a five-day break before hosting rivals Mumbai Indians on May 2.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said MS Dhoni\u2019s much-awaited return to the Chennai playing XI has been pushed back again after the former captain aggravated…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5548,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: Dhoni\u2019s CSK Comeback Delayed by Calf Injury","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"IPL 2026 update: MS Dhoni\u2019s CSK comeback stays on hold as a calf injury worsens, keeping him out despite CSK\u2019s early-season matches without him.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5549","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n