MS Dhoni\u2019s continued absence from IPL 2026 remains a major talking point, with the Chennai Super Kings icon yet to take the field this season as he continues his recovery from a knee problem. After being ruled out of the opening stretch, his comeback timeline was pushed back further when the same issue resurfaced during training. Since then, Dhoni\u2019s return has been the subject of constant debate, and every CSK fixture has only intensified the question of whether he will finally break back into the playing XI.<\/p>\n
While Dhoni\u2019s situation has drawn the headlines, CSK have steadied their campaign in recent matches and managed to keep themselves firmly in the playoff hunt. With four league games left, they remain well placed\u2014provided they can win at least three of those remaining contests. Dhoni has been part of the squad since March, taking part in practice sessions and net work, with short glimpses from his training widely shared across social media. However, despite those visible signs of progress, he has still not made a match appearance. On matchdays as well, he has stayed away from the playing surface, keeping a low profile while the franchise concentrates on its push for the postseason.<\/p>\n
Former CSK spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now weighed in on Dhoni\u2019s possible return, arguing that bringing the wicketkeeper-batter back into the XI could disturb the existing balance of CSK\u2019s current lineup. Ashwin also suggested that a comeback looks unlikely unless there is a significant change in circumstances later in the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf MS Dhoni comes, then the combination will be changed. It becomes very difficult, so I think there are very slim chances [of making a comeback]. If they lose two of their next three games, then he might get a farewell game in Chennai,\u201d Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.<\/p>\n
Ashwin also offered a contrasting note by praising Rohit Sharma\u2019s return from a hamstring injury earlier in the campaign. Rohit marked his comeback with an impactful 84 against Lucknow Super Giants, a knock that proved decisive in keeping Mumbai Indians\u2019 playoff hopes alive at a crucial point in the tournament. Ashwin said Rohit\u2019s batting provided real momentum, while also stressing that the larger picture for both Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants may not be explained by single match outcomes alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cRohit Sharma played a very good knock. The way he hit Avesh Khan for a six over extra cover, put it in a loop, and watch it 1000 times. What a shot, he also hit Manimaran Siddharth for a six over the bowler. But LSG and MI have no scene in this IPL. Mumbai have nothing to prove. They only have themselves to prove. But even against LSG, they were in trouble with the ball. So, let\u2019s see if they can do better from hereon,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MS Dhoni\u2019s continued absence from IPL 2026 remains a major talking point, with the Chennai Super Kings icon yet to take the field this season…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7826,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"IPL 2026: Ashwin Signals Dhoni Return for CSK Matchday","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Ashwin\u2019s latest comments fuel CSK fans\u2019 hope for MS Dhoni\u2019s IPL 2026 comeback, as Dhoni\u2019s injury timeline keeps shifting before the next matchday.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7828","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n