Former Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni has returned to Ranchi and did not travel with the rest of the squad ahead of Chennai’s final league-stage match of IPL 2026 against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on May 21.
The development has naturally created discussion among fans, especially with Chennai still holding a slim chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Dhoni’s absence from such an important fixture is a major talking point, considering his influence on the side both on and off the field. However, the franchise clarified that the veteran wicketkeeper-batter is currently recovering from a thumb injury and has not been ruled out completely from the remainder of the tournament.
CSK batting coach Michael Hussey confirmed the news before the GT clash. According to Hussey, Dhoni is recovering well from a sore thumb but is not fit enough to take part in the final league game. He also mentioned that Dhoni would rejoin the squad if Chennai manages to qualify for the playoffs.
Will MS Dhoni return to CSK camp? Michael Hussey gives update
“I can confirm Dhoni is not here with the team, but if we do happen to qualify, then he’ll definitely join back up with the squad. He’s got a bit of a sore thumb. It’s recovering nicely, but he won’t be ready for this match. If we can manage to get through to the playoffs, then hopefully he’ll be alright,” Hussey said on the eve of the GT vs CSK encounter.
The update comes at a difficult time for Chennai, who are still trying to recover from a disappointing defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their previous outing at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium. CSK suffered a five-wicket loss in front of their home crowd, a result that badly affected their chances of reaching the knockout stage.
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For a side known for handling pressure situations calmly over the years, the defeat against SRH looked like a massive setback. Chennai struggled to find momentum in key moments of the game, while Hyderabad managed to stay composed during the chase. The result also left the dressing room disappointed, something Hussey openly admitted while speaking to the media.
“It was disappointing, especially in front of our home fans. Obviously, it’s made it difficult for us to get through to the knockouts. Everyone will take lessons from it, but we’ve got to move on quickly. We were a bit flat in the dressing room. The coach [Stephen Fleming] spoke to us about having one more game and one more chance. It’s all about having the right attitude moving forward,” he continued.
Despite missing the match against SRH as a player, Dhoni was still present at the stadium and remained involved with the team throughout the evening. The former India captain attended the official team photoshoot and later joined the players during the traditional lap of appreciation around the stadium after the match.
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MS Dhoni has made 278 appearances in India’s premier T20 competition. The five-time IPL winning captain scored 5439 runs at an average of 38.3 and a strike rate of 137.4. Overall, he mustered 24 half-centuries to his name.
The veteran has built a legacy that goes beyond trophies and stats since the inception of the IPL. He is known for his calm leadership, finishing abilities, and ability to guide young players have played a massive role in shaping Chennai into one of the league’s most successful franchises.
