MS Dhoni Is Back For CSK In The Nets, And He Is Hungry For Wickets. Watch
A calf strain before the IPL ruled MS Dhoni out for two weeks, and then it got extended as he hurt his calf again. There is, however, good news for CSK as Dhoni has started training.
- MS Dhoni is recovering from a calf strain and has started training with CSK again
- Dhoni has not played any IPL 2026 matches due to injury and has missed 10 games
- In a video, Dhoni could be seen bowling in the nets
Chennai Super Kings are in the mix for a IPL 2026 playoff berth, but there are still no signs of Dhoni. A calf strain before the IPL ruled him out for two weeks, and then it got extended as he hurt his calf again. There is, however, good news for CSK as Dhoni has started training. In fact, he is bowling in the nets too! In a video posted by CSK, Dhoni can be heard saying: "Wicket chahiye humko (I need a wicket)". Dhoni is CSK's most successful captain with five IPL titles.
Just too AdoraBOWL! Â #WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/pkIAGszBE7
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 7, 2026
Earlier, Dhoni did not travel to Delhi for CSK's match against Delhi Capitals (DC). Bowling coach Eric Simmons confirmed on Monday that Dhoni would miss that game, marking his 10th absence of the season. "Update on MS Dhoni is way above my pay grade. He's not with us, but he's improving. He will be ready when he's ready. He knows when he's ready to play," said Simmons on the eve of CSK's 10th match of the season against Delhi Capitals.
Dhoni, who injured his calf muscle during the pre-season camp, hasn't featured in a single match yet for CSK in the ongoing IPL.
Despite being with CSK since March and regularly featuring in practice games and net sessions, widely shared on social media, Dhoni has yet to make an appearance in any of the team's matches so far.
Dhoni was retained by the Super Kings as an "uncapped player" for Rs 4 crore ahead of IPL 2025, and this retention was extended for IPL 2026, keeping his salary unchanged at Rs 4 crore.
Dhoni had a decent IPL 2025 season with the bat, making 196 runs from 14 matches at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17.
Chennai Super Kings are currently sixth on the points table, having recovered well from a difficult start that saw them suffer three consecutive defeats.
Earlier, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey said that MS Dhoni deliberately chose not to attend CSK's IPL 2026 matches because he didn't want to become a distraction for the team.
"He's such a team-oriented guy, MS Dhoni. He always wants what's best for the team, and he was worried that if he came, there'd be a bit too much of a distraction. Obviously, the cameras would be on him a lot. The crowd would be cheering for him and things like that," Hussey said.
With PTI inputs
MS Dhoni
Chennai Super Kings