MS Dhoni Return Ranchi, IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings has to play the last match of the league stage in IPL 2026 against Gujarat Titans today (21 May). But in the update that came out before the match, it was told that MS Dhoni has returned to his home Ranchi in the middle of the season. So did Mahi quietly leave CSK mid-season and retire from IPL? Let us know what is the whole matter behind Mahi’s return home.

Why did MS Dhoni return to Ranchi in the middle of the season, did he retire?

Let us tell you that Chennai played its 13th match on 18th May against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chepauk. MS Dhoni had come to the stadium with the team for the match, but he did not play the match.

According to ESPNcricinfo, now before the last league match, Dhoni has returned to his home in Ranchi due to a thumb injury. It was told that if Chennai reaches the playoffs, then he will join the team. This makes one thing clear that he has not retired as of now.

Second injury after another

Dhoni suffered a lot of injuries at the beginning of the season, due to which he could not play even a single match. On March 28, Chennai had told in an update that due to calf injury, Mahi may remain out for 2 weeks. The injury sidelined Mahi so much that he could not play league matches for the entire season. The second thumb injury occurred at the end of the season. Now it will be interesting to see whether Mahi returns or not if Chennai reaches the playoffs.

MS Dhoni’s IPL career

If we look at Dhoni’s IPL career, till now he has played 278 matches. Batting in 242 innings of these matches, he scored 5439 runs at an average of 38.30 and strike rate of 137.45. During this period, he scored 24 half-centuries, in which the high score was 84* runs.

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Will MS Dhoni Play Today Against DC: Today (05 May) the 48th match of IPL 2026 will be played between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The match will start at 7:30 pm. Before the match, only one question is arising in the minds of the fans, will CSK legend MS Dhoni play today’s match? Here you will get a very direct answer to this question.

Chennai has played 9 league matches in the season. The team will take the field for the 10th match against Delhi. Dhoni is still yet to play the first match of the season. Fans are eagerly waiting for Dhoni’s return. The thing to note is that Mahi is seen practicing in the nets, which is giving hope to the fans.

Will MS Dhoni play against Delhi today?

Chennai bowling coach Eric Simmons shared the latest update on Dhoni’s return. A day before the match, Simmons said, “It is beyond my understanding to give an update on Dhoni. He is not with us (in Delhi). He will be ready when he is ready and he knows when he is ready to play.”

Dhoni not coming to Delhi with the team clearly means that today he will not be a part of Chennai’s playing eleven in the match against Delhi. Fans will have to wait longer for Dhoni’s return.

MS Dhoni’s injury

Mahi is struggling with calf injury. While sharing an update on March 28, i.e. the day of the beginning of the season, the franchise had said that he may remain out for 2 weeks. Now more than a month has passed, but Dhoni has not returned. Chennai has not officially given any other update regarding Dhoni. Now it will be interesting to see when he returns.

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