- MS Dhoni to miss CSK’s final league match of the season.
- Dhoni is yet to feature in CSK’s IPL 2026 campaign.
- Their match against GT is a must-win for CSK.
MS Dhoni will not feature in the Chennai Super Kings’ final league game in the IPL, as per CSK batting coach Michael Hussey. Hussey confirmed that Dhoni was not with the team ahead of their all-important clash with the Gujarat Titans.
Dhoni has been with the side through most of the tournament, despite not playing a single game this season. The former CSK captain has traveled with the side, supporting them from the sidelines.
He would, however, make an appearance at CSK’s previous match with Sunrisers Hyderabad. The 44-year-old joined the team for their traditional last-home-game team photo in the innings break. Dhoni then also joined the lap of honour since it was their last game in Chennai this season.
‘MS Dhoni is recovering well’ – Hussey
While it was considered possible that Dhoni would be available for the GT game, injury has ruled him out. Hussey, however, did confirm that Dhoni would join back up with the team should they make the playoffs. He also added that the wicketkeeper-batter was recovering well.
Speaking ahead of the GT game, Hussey had the following to say:
“I can confirm he is not here with the team, but if we do happen to qualify, then he will definitely join back up with the team. He has got a bit of a sore thumb, so it is recovering nicely, but he would not be ready for this match. But hopefully, if we can manage to get through to the playoffs, then hopefully he will be alright”
Chennai find themselves in a must-win situation in Ahmedabad against GT on Thursday. A defeat will see them eliminated, but a win too may not be enough. Check out the playoff scenarios here.
CSK’s middling form in Dhoni’s absence
Chennai’s difficult run from the last couple of seasons has continued this campaign. They have lost more matches than they have won so far this year. Failure to qualify to the playoffs will make this their third successive season without making it to the next stage, following 5th and 10th place finishes in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side started the 2026 campaign with three consecutive defeats. Any attempts to wrestle back momentum since has been followed by defeat. Most recently, a three-match winning run was suffixed by two defeats that left playoff qualification well out of their hands.
Not only do CSK now need to beat GT, they also need results to go their way in three of the other four matches. CSK fans will hope that their teams somehow make it to the next stage. Only to see their beloved former captain in yellow one more time, if nothing else.
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