{"id":5591,"date":"2026-04-26T16:53:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-26T16:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/fleming-dhonis-calf-injury-flares-up-csks-ipl-2026-return-timeline-slips"},"modified":"2026-04-26T16:53:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T16:53:04","slug":"fleming-dhonis-calf-injury-flares-up-csks-ipl-2026-return-timeline-slips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1win.za.com\/ipl\/fleming-dhonis-calf-injury-flares-up-csks-ipl-2026-return-timeline-slips","title":{"rendered":"Fleming: Dhoni\u2019s calf injury flares up, CSK\u2019s IPL 2026 return timeline slips"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has confirmed that MS Dhoni\u2019s return from a calf injury will take longer than expected, with the problem worsening during a warm-up game ahead of IPL 2026. The development comes after CSK suffered an eight-wicket defeat to Gujarat Titans at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.<\/p>\n<h2>Fleming\u2019s update after CSK\u2019s loss to Gujarat Titans<\/h2>\n<p>Fleming provided the latest assessment of Dhoni\u2019s fitness following CSK\u2019s loss, explaining that the calf issue is still a major concern for the team\u2019s plans. Dhoni has been part of the squad since March and has appeared in training sessions and warm-ups, but he has not featured in any of CSK\u2019s eight matches so far. He has also not been present at the venue on match days.<\/p>\n<p>The head coach stressed that another recurrence could sideline Dhoni for the remainder of the season, adding that CSK opted to push the timeline forward after the injury worsened.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Dhoni\u2019s calf strain has been delayed after it deteriorated during a warm-up game before IPL 2026.<\/li>\n<li>He has been in the squad since March, practicing and warming up, but has played zero of CSK\u2019s first eight matches.<\/li>\n<li>He has not been seen at the ground on match days so far.<\/li>\n<li>Fleming said the injury remains a worry because a further setback could rule him out for the whole campaign.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>What Fleming said about the injury and the recovery timeline<\/h2>\n<p>During his press conference, Fleming described how the situation changed and why CSK moved early with their decision-making. He said that after Dhoni tried to get going, the calf failed again in the warm-up phase, and since then the wicketkeeper-batter has been working hard to regain movement and stability.<\/p>\n<p>Fleming also pointed out that although Dhoni has previously played IPL matches while dealing with injuries, the current recovery is taking longer than CSK anticipated.<\/p>\n<p>Fleming\u2019s message was clear: the team has been cautious because the calf is \u201ca tough one,\u201d and if the injury is aggravated again after he resumes, Dhoni could be out for the entire season.<\/p>\n<h2>Ruturaj Gaikwad\u2019s earlier explanation on how it happened<\/h2>\n<p>Four days before Sunday\u2019s match, CSK had shared a clip on social media featuring captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who outlined what occurred before the season started. Gaikwad said Dhoni sustained the calf injury during a practice game, after which he was unable to run as smoothly as he wanted to during subsequent sessions.<\/p>\n<p>In the same video, Gaikwad added that the plan then shifted toward giving Dhoni the time he needed to recover. He also noted that Dhoni watched younger players take part in practice matches and simulations, and that those observations helped Dhoni feel more confident about who was ready to play in the IPL.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Gaikwad said Dhoni snapped his calf during a practice match.<\/li>\n<li>After the injury, Dhoni could not run comfortably as he aimed to.<\/li>\n<li>Gaikwad suggested the next phase was about allowing time for recovery.<\/li>\n<li>He added that Dhoni observed youngsters in practice games and match simulations while assessing readiness for IPL action.<\/li>\n<li>Gaikwad expressed hope that Dhoni could return \u201cmaybe next game\u201d or \u201cafter that,\u201d but indicated a return \u201cone day for sure.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>CSK\u2019s IPL 2026 standing and upcoming fixture<\/h2>\n<p>At present, CSK sit sixth in the IPL 2026 points table after eight matches, having collected three wins and suffering five defeats. The team still has six league games left in the season.<\/p>\n<p>CSK\u2019s next outing is scheduled at home against Mumbai Indians on May 2.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has confirmed that MS Dhoni\u2019s return from a calf injury will take longer than expected, with the problem&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5590,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: Fleming on Dhoni calf injury, CSK return timeline","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"CSK coach Stephen Fleming says MS Dhoni\u2019s calf injury has worsened, delaying his IPL 2026 comeback after a tough loss to Gujarat Titans.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast 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