Chennai Super Kings confirmed on Saturday that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is expected to miss the first two weeks of the IPL season due to a calf strain. The 44-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is currently undergoing rehabilitation to ensure a full recovery before returning to play.
Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020 and has since played exclusively in the IPL. He led Chennai to five titles before stepping down as captain in 2024 and featured in all 14 matches last season, scoring 196 runs as the team finished last in the standings.
Chennai will open their IPL 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Monday. The tournament starts later on Saturday and will run until May 31, with Dhoni expected to return after the initial two weeks.
The franchise emphasized that Dhoni’s rehabilitation is the priority, noting his experience and leadership remain vital to Chennai’s performance, even in a non-captain role.
Fans and cricket analysts will be monitoring his recovery closely, as Dhoni’s presence is considered crucial for Chennai’s hopes of improving on last season’s results.
