The uncertainty surrounding MS Dhoni\u2019s availability for the Indian Premier League 2026 has continued to grow. The Chennai Super Kings wicketkeeper-batter was sidelined at the start of the campaign due to a calf problem. Although he has been part of the franchise setup since March and has been seen taking part in practice outings and net sessions\u2014footage from those sessions has also made its way onto social media\u2014Dhoni has not yet played a single match for CSK in the ongoing season.<\/p>\n
India\u2019s celebrated off-spinner R Ashwin, a former CSK teammate of Dhoni, believes the road back to the playing XI looks extremely steep. Ashwin suggested that Dhoni\u2019s comeback chances are \u201cvery difficult,\u201d while also pointing out a scenario where the veteran could still get closure in familiar surroundings if CSK\u2019s playoff push ends.<\/p>\n
CSK, meanwhile, remain firmly in the race for the IPL 2026 playoffs. The franchise currently sits with 10 points from their first 10 matches, and they still have four league games left. Four wins from the remaining fixtures could help them secure a place in the next round, though three victories would also keep their qualification hopes alive.<\/p>\n
Ashwin added that Dhoni\u2019s involvement for CSK would likely depend on how the season unfolds from here. In his view, if CSK continue to remain in contention, the chances of Dhoni returning diminish further. But if the team slips out of the race, Ashwin expects the possibility of a farewell appearance for Dhoni in Chennai.<\/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
Dhoni\u2019s IPL 2026 situation is also linked to how CSK planned for his role financially and squad-wise. The wicketkeeper-batter was retained by CSK as an \u201cuncapped player\u201d ahead of IPL 2025 for \u20b94 crore, and that retention carried into IPL 2026 with his salary kept unchanged.<\/p>\n
On the batting front, Dhoni\u2019s most recent IPL season\u2014IPL 2025\u2014was productive. He made 196 runs across 14 matches, striking at 135.17, and finished with an average of 24.50.<\/p>\n
In the current campaign, CSK are placed sixth on the points table. Their position reflects a recovery after a rough beginning, when they were hit by three straight defeats early in the tournament.<\/p>\n
Earlier, batting coach Michael Hussey had also shed light on Dhoni\u2019s absence from CSK\u2019s IPL 2026 matches. Hussey said Dhoni deliberately chose not to attend the team\u2019s games because he did not want to become a distraction for the side.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s such a team-oriented guy, MS Dhoni. He always wants what\u2019s best for the team, and he was worried that if he came, there\u2019d be a bit too much of a distraction. Obviously, the cameras would be on him a lot. The crowd would be cheering for him and things like that,\u201d Hussey said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The uncertainty surrounding MS Dhoni\u2019s availability for the Indian Premier League 2026 has continued to grow. The Chennai Super Kings wicketkeeper-batter was sidelined at the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7938,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"R Ashwin Suggests Dhoni IPL 2026 Comeback Condition","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"R Ashwin says MS Dhoni\u2019s IPL 2026 return depends on one key condition\u2014CSK fans wait as the veteran\u2019s calf recovery timeline remains unclear.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n