Ruturaj Gaikwad Confirms MS Dhoni Is on Track to Return in IPL 2026, Says Veteran Is Eager to Play

Gaikwad shared the update ahead of CSK’s third match of the IPL 2026 season against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Dhoni has been sidelined due to a calf strain and has not featured in any of CSK’s opening matches against Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, or RCB.

Speaking at the toss, when asked by former India head coach Ravi Shastri for the latest on Dhoni, Gaikwad kept his response measured but encouraging. “He is recovering, and hopefully he will return soon. He is willing to play, but it takes time,” Gaikwad said.

The former CSK captain has been nursing the calf injury that has forced him to miss the start of IPL 2026. Although the 44-year-old had recently resumed batting in the nets, he will need more time to return to full match fitness.

Cautious Approach From Management

CSK had earlier issued a formal statement confirming the extent of the setback. “MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026,” the franchise said.

Head coach Stephen Fleming made clear that while Dhoni’s absence is felt on the field, his presence around the group has not diminished. “It is just a game without him. He is still heavily involved in the side, and his influence remains very strong,” Fleming said ahead of the Punjab Kings match.

The team management appears to be prioritising long-term fitness over rushing the veteran back into action, taking a cautious approach to avoid aggravating the injury.

Dhoni Spotted in the Nets

Despite being ruled out, MS Dhoni was spotted in the nets during a CSK practice session, and footage of the session quickly spread across social media. The clips showed him hitting a resounding pull shot, a no-look six, and a powerful shot off the backfoot over the bowler’s head, all of which generated significant excitement among supporters.

However, those were light sessions rather than full match practice. The team has been careful not to rush his return, and his absence has already had an impact on CSK’s performances.

CSK’s Difficult Start

Without Dhoni in the lineup, CSK have struggled to find their footing. The franchise has restructured its batting order significantly, with Sanju Samson taking over wicketkeeping duties while Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to lead the side. The side has lost both of its opening fixtures and heads into the RCB clash looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

The question of whether this IPL season will be Dhoni’s last has been a persistent talking point. He remains one of only four players to have been part of all editions of the tournament, alongside Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Manish Pandey. In the 2025 season, he played 14 matches for CSK, scoring 196 runs at an average of 24.50 with a strike rate of 135.17, also stepping in as captain after Gaikwad was ruled out with a hairline fracture.

Based on the two-week recovery timeline shared by CSK, Dhoni could potentially be available from around April 12 onwards, placing him in contention for the franchise’s home matches in the middle phase of IPL 2026. However, the franchise has been cautious about rushing him back given the significance of this stage in his career.

Also Read: Riyan Parag Wins Early Trust as Rajasthan Royals Captain, Says Ambati Rayudu

RCB vs CSK Match Details

Gaikwad won the toss and opted to bowl first against RCB at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday. Neither side made changes to their playing XI.

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Matt Henry, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy.

RCB are coming off a strong opening win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, where they successfully chased a target in excess of 200 runs, and are returning to action after an eight-day gap.