IPL 2026 MS Dhoni Return Update: In IPL 2026, fans did not get a glimpse of MS Dhoni on the field. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has played 6 league matches in the season, but due to calf injury, Dhoni has not played a single match. CSK has to play the next match against Mumbai Indians on Thursday (23 April), in which the return of MS Dhoni is almost certain. The franchise itself has approved Dhoni’s return.

Let us tell you that on March 28, the day of the beginning of IPL 2026, Chennai issued an official statement regarding Dhoni and said that Mahi cannot play for the first two weeks of the season due to calf injury. But more than 2 weeks passed and Dhoni did not return. However, now the franchise itself has given a big update on the return of Mahi.

It is decided to play MS Dhoni’s first match against MI!

Actually, Chennai shared a video on Tuesday (April 21) at around 7 pm, in which Mahi was seen keeping in practice. The thing to note is that even before this, Chennai had shared some videos of Dhoni’s practice, but he was not seen keeping in any of the videos. This time Mahi’s sighting at keeping somehow confirms that he will be a part of Chennai’s playing 11 in the next match.

Rule no. 1: Don’t step out when Thala’s behind the stumps
Rule no. 2: Read Rule No. 1 again#WhistlePodu #yellow pic.twitter.com/mPYUIb3yuW

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 21, 2026

If Dhoni plays against Mumbai, it will be his first match of the season. However, Chennai has not officially told whether Mahi will be a part of the playing 11 in the next match or not.

CSK in bad shape

Chennai has appeared in a very bad condition so far in the season. The team has played 6 matches, in which it has won only 2. Have faced defeat in the remaining four matches. The team has 4 points and a net run rate of -0.780. With this performance the team is at 8th position in the points table.

Also read: Hardik Pandya’s ‘Brahmastra’ has arrived, the dreaded opener joined MI before the match against CSK.