MS Dhoni injury update has taken a worrying turn. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming revealed after Chennai Super Kings’ eight-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans on Sunday that Dhoni suffered a second setback to his calf during a warm-up game — pushing his return further into uncertainty and contradicting earlier reports that the 44-year-old was match-fit and choosing to sit out for tactical reasons.
Dhoni has now missed all eight of CSK’s matches in IPL 2026, and with the franchise slipping to sixth on the points table with a 3-5 record, his absence is becoming harder to absorb with every passing game.
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Updated on April 27, 2026
Stephen Fleming On MS Dhoni Injury Update
Speaking in the post-match press conference after CSK’s defeat to GT at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Fleming provided the most detailed account yet of what has been happening with Dhoni’s calf — and it paints a more complicated picture than what had been publicly understood.
Fleming confirmed that Dhoni initially injured his calf during an intra-squad practice match before IPL 2026. He then pushed to return early and tweaked it again during a warm-up game, creating a second setback that has extended his recovery timeline significantly.
The key concern, as Fleming laid it out, is that the calf is a “tough one” — if Dhoni pushes too hard and tears it again, he could be ruled out for the entire season. That fear of a full tear is why CSK have been cautious, even as Dhoni has been eager to get back on the field.
Fleming added that Dhoni is working closely with the physio and doing all the required rehabilitation, but the final call on his return rests entirely with the player himself. “He is the guide on this one,” Fleming said, making clear that there is no fixed timeline and that CSK are simply waiting for the word from Dhoni that he is ready.
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Is MS Dhoni Still Injured?
Yes. Unlike earlier reports — including one from the Indian Express that suggested Dhoni had completed his rehabilitation, passed a fitness test, and was deliberately delaying his comeback to avoid disrupting CSK’s settled combination — Fleming’s post-match comments confirm that the injury is very much still a live issue.
The earlier narrative framed Dhoni’s absence as a selfless tactical decision: team first, ego nowhere, staying out because CSK had found a rhythm. Fleming’s revelation of a second calf tweak changes that picture entirely. Dhoni is not sitting out by choice — he is still recovering from a setback that has taken longer to heal than anyone at CSK expected.
That said, Dhoni has clearly been working hard behind the scenes. CSK have shared videos of him doing wicketkeeping drills and batting in the nets, and both captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and batting coach Michael Hussey had spoken positively about his progress in recent weeks. Gaikwad said before the MI match that Dhoni was “slowly and steadily regaining full fitness,” while Hussey was “hopeful it could be in the next few games.”
But there is a significant gap between net sessions and match fitness — and Fleming’s comments make clear that gap has not yet been bridged.
Why MS Dhoni Did Not Play In CSK vs GT IPL 2026
Dhoni was left out of the playing XI for the GT clash for the same reason he has missed the previous seven matches: he has not been cleared for match fitness following the second calf setback.
CSK went with Urvil Patel in place of Sarfaraz Khan as their change for the GT match — a batting order adjustment rather than a Dhoni-related swap. Sanju Samson continued behind the stumps, and despite a tough day for most of CSK’s batting lineup, Samson’s wicketkeeping remained sharp, including a Dhoni-style stumping to dismiss Shubman Gill off Noor Ahmad.
The match itself went poorly for CSK. After being put in to bat, they lost four wickets inside the first 16 runs before Ruturaj Gaikwad anchored the innings with an unbeaten 74 off 60 balls, helping CSK limp to 158/7. It was not enough — Sai Sudharsan smashed 87 off 46 balls, and alongside Shubman Gill (33) and Jos Buttler (39 not out), GT chased down the target in just 16.4 overs. Kagiso Rabada was the pick of GT’s bowlers with 3/25.
The loss dropped CSK to sixth with 6 points from 8 matches, while GT climbed to fifth with 8 points. With six matches remaining in the league stage, CSK’s playoff qualification scenarios are getting tighter by the game.
When Will MS Dhoni Play In IPL 2026?
Even based on Fleming’s comments it seems like the answer is something nobody knows, not even CSK.
CSK’s next match is against Mumbai Indians on May 2 at Chepauk, followed by an away fixture against Lucknow Super Giants on May 5. Before the GT match, these were seen as the most likely windows for Dhoni’s return. Michael Hussey’s “next few games” comment from before the MI match on April 23 pointed to early May.
However, Fleming’s tone after the GT loss was notably more guarded. The revelation of a second setback, combined with the warning that another tear would end Dhoni’s season entirely, suggests CSK will not rush him back — even with the MI rivalry game at home and even with their season on the line.
Ruturaj Gaikwad had offered a more optimistic view earlier in the week, saying Dhoni would “definitely come back sooner rather than later.” But that was before the full extent of the setback was publicly known. Fleming’s post-match comments represent the most current — and most cautious — update from the CSK camp.
When Dhoni does return, Hussey has confirmed he will keep wicket rather than come in as an impact player. That would mean Sanju Samson — who has been outstanding behind the stumps and currently sits among the top run-scorers of IPL 2026 — would likely move to an outfield role or potentially slot in as the impact sub.
For now, CSK have a five-day break before the MI clash. Whether that window is enough for Dhoni to get the clearance he needs remains uncertain. Based on everything Fleming said on Sunday night, the MS Dhoni injury update is no longer a story about when he returns — it is a story about whether his body will let him.
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