MS Dhoni will miss the first two weeks of Indian Premier League 2026 because of a calf strain. Chennai Super Kings confirmed he is currently in rehab and not ready to play yet.
CSK start their season against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, but Dhoni will not be part of those early matches. During his absence, Sanju Samson is expected to take over wicketkeeping. He joined CSK before this season in a big trade deal.
Dhoni has only been playing in the IPL since retiring from international cricket in 2020. Last season, he played all 14 matches and scored 196 runs with a strike rate above 135. He also returned as captain for some matches when Ruturaj Gaikwad got injured.
At 44, if he plays later this season, Dhoni will become the oldest Indian to appear in the IPL, going past Pravin Tambe. He is also the most experienced IPL player, with 278 matches, 5439 runs, and 205 dismissals as a wicketkeeper. Along with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Manish Pandey, he is among the few players to feature in every season of the league.
CSK seem to be planning ahead as well. They brought in Sanju Samson as a key replacement option and also spent big money on young wicketkeeper Kartik Sharma, showing they are preparing for a future without Dhoni.
MS Dhoni Calf Strain Explained as CSK Plan for Short-Term Absence and Future Without Him
The injury happened during a pre-season training session. It is a calf strain, which means the muscle at the back of his lower leg is stretched or slightly torn. Recovery depends on how serious it is, but usually it takes around 1 to 3 weeks for a mild case. CSK have not shared the exact level of the injury, but he is already in rehab and being watched closely by the team’s medical staff.
This also adds to his recent fitness concerns. At a fan event in Chennai, Dhoni himself said his fitness is going down. He has already been managing knee issues in the last few seasons, which is why he bats lower in the order now and focuses more on short, quick innings at the end.
Because of this injury, Dhoni is expected to miss around 3 to 4 matches. These include games against Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals. If recovery goes as planned, he could return by mid-April.
Even now, his record remains strong. He has played 278 matches, scored 5,439 runs, and kept a strike rate above 137. He also has 24 fifties and is still among the top run-scorers in IPL history. In 2025, he scored 196 runs in 13 innings, mostly playing quick finishing roles.
Sanju Samson Likely to Take Over Wicketkeeping
With MS Dhoni out injured, Sanju Samson is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties for Chennai Super Kings in the early part of Indian Premier League 2026.
CSK confirmed Dhoni will miss around two weeks due to a calf strain, which means he is likely out for the first 3-4 matches. That opened the door for Samson, who is the most experienced wicketkeeper available in the squad.
There was a clear sign of this change during a practice simulation at Chepauk. In that session, Dhoni was seen batting while Samson handled wicketkeeping. This showed the team is already preparing Samson for that role.
Earlier, there were doubts about Samson keeping wickets this season. Ravichandran Ashwin had shared training photos where Samson was working on outfield catching instead of keeping. That made it look like Dhoni would continue as the main wicketkeeper. But the injury has now changed those plans.
Other options like Kartik Sharma and Urvil Patel are in the squad, but Samson is the first choice right now because of his experience.
FAQs
Q. Why will MS Dhoni miss the start of IPL 2026?
A. MS Dhoni will miss it because of a calf injury.
Q. How long is MS Dhoni expected to be out?
A. MS Dhoni is expected to miss around two weeks or 3–4 matches.
Q. Who will take over wicketkeeping for CSK?
A. Sanju Samson is expected to keep wickets.
Q. When could MS Dhoni return?
A. MS Dhoni could return around mid-April if recovery goes well.
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