In an official statement, CSK confirmed that Dhoni is currently recovering from a calf strain and is expected to be sidelined for at least the first two weeks of the tournament. “MS Dhoni is undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain and is likely to miss the initial phase of IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala,” the franchise stated.
This absence marks a historic moment for CSK, as it will be the first time in 277 T20 matches—including 24 in the Champions League T20—that neither Dhoni nor Raina will feature in the playing XI. While CSK have previously played 77 matches without Raina and five without Dhoni, the duo had never been absent together until now.
The 2026 season also signals a transition phase for the franchise, with a noticeable shift toward nurturing younger talent. Dhoni’s temporary absence further accelerates this change, leaving the team without one of its most experienced leaders during the early part of the season.
The last time Dhoni missed an IPL match was in 2019, when he sat out games due to illness and injury, including a match against Mumbai Indians and another against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Overall, since the inception of the IPL in 2008, Dhoni has missed only five matches—a testament to his remarkable consistency and fitness over the years.
Between 2020 and 2025, Dhoni played every match for CSK, leading the team to IPL titles in 2021 and 2023 and featuring in all 14 games of the 2025 season. During CSK’s suspension in 2016 and 2017, he represented Rising Pune Supergiant.
With 278 appearances, Dhoni remains the most-capped player in IPL history and holds the record for captaining a side in 235 matches. His absence in the opening phase of IPL 2026 leaves a significant void in the CSK lineup, both in terms of experience and leadership, as the team navigates a new chapter.
