MS Dhoni Likely to Play His First Match for CSK in IPL 2026 Against MI

It is uncertain who will exit CSK’s playing XI to accommodate MS Dhoni once he regains full fitness and resumes his usual role.

MS Dhoni Likely to Play His First Match for CSK in IPL 2026 Against MI

R Ashwin asserted that MS Dhoni will play in CSK's upcoming game against MI. (via X)

In Short
  • MS Dhoni is likely to play his first match of IPL 2026 against Mumbai Indians.
  • CSK has struggled this season, currently needing a boost to stay in playoff contention.
  • Ayush Mhatre has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a hamstring injury.

In what might be a beacon of hope for Chennai Super Kings fans, it is being reported that MS Dhoni might play his first game of IPL 2026. Dhoni’s former CSK teammate R Ashwin revealed that the wicket-keeper batter is fit to play against the Mumbai Indians. 

It has been a roller-coaster ride for CSK in IPL 2026, after starting poorly with three consecutive losses, their worst-ever start to a season. The team, in fact, seemed in poor shape after a humiliating loss to RCB, only to bounce back to secure its first win of the season against DC.

It was followed by a second victory against KKR. However, a subsequent and unnecessary loss to SRH has led to another crisis. Six matches into IPL 2026, CSK is in need of a significant push to remain in contention for a playoff spot. The franchise has deeply missed its talisman, MS Dhoni.

The 44-year-old veteran is yet to play this season, after being ruled out of the start of the tournament due to a calf strain. The two-week recovery timeline has already passed, sparking anticipation among fans for his potential return.

There has been no official confirmation from the team management or captain Ruturaj Gaikwad about Dhoni’s inclusion in the playing XI, but his activity in the nets seems to suggest that he might be prepared.

Moreover, R Ashwin strongly indicated that the aging wicket-keeper batter is fully fit to play against MI at the Wankhede Stadium. Ashwin even claimed that Dhoni might keep the wickets ahead of Sanju Samson, or might solely be utilized as an Impact Player. He said on Ash ki Baat:

I’ve never seen MS Dhoni keeping the wickets in the nets… This means he will be keeping in place of [Sanju] Samson. Or he might be used as an Impact player. I am 100 per cent sure, he will play [against MI]. I’ve heard he’s fit and good to go.

Ashwin highlighted Dhoni’s abilities to hit sixes towards the end of the innings, a role all-rounder Shivam Dube has struggled to adapt to this season. Encouragingly, MSD was seen actively participating in net practice in Mumbai on the day before the IPL ‘El Clásico’. CSK even released videos showing him wicket-keeping and another of him cheerfully interacting with the IPL’s robot dog and mascot, Champak.

MS Dhoni had even traveled with the squad to Hyderabad, but did not participate in the game. In fact, he has also not attended any one of the six matches that the team has played in the season so far, strangely keeping himself away from the dugout. 

Ayush Mhatre’s season-ending injury leaves CSK in trouble! Who will replace him?

India U-19 World Cup-winning captain Ayush Mhatre has been the driving force of CSK’s batting unit in IPL 2026. However, the five-time champions have been dealt a massive blow, with the 18-year-old ruled out of the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury. 

Ayush Mhatre injury CSK blow
Ayush Mhatre’s season-ending injury is a huge blow for CSK. (via Cricbuzz)

Mhatre sustained the injury in his left hamstring during CSK’s clash against SRH, while attempting a run. He required on-field attention quite a few times to continue batting before being dismissed by Nitish Reddy on 30 runs off 13 deliveries. The young right-hander then underwent scans, with medical reports determining that he would require a recovery period of 6 to 12 weeks, thus ruling him out of the season.

His absence will be a setback for the franchise, given Mhatre has been their highest run-getter, with 201 runs in the six matches, at an average of 33.50 and a strike-rate of 177.88. It also worsens CSK’s injury crisis, given the team already suffered a blow after Khaleel Ahmed was ruled out of the season as well. The team also lost Australian Nathan Ellis to an injury before the start of the 2026 IPL season. 

It remains to be seen who replaces Mhatre in the playing XI, with Urvil Patel being the likely candidate. Meanwhile, the Men in Yellow might also opt for a replacement, with players like Salman Nizar, Abhinav Manohar, Atharva Taide, Mayank Agarwal and Yash Dhull among contenders. 

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