How Many IPL 2026 Matches Will MS Dhoni Miss for CSK

How Many IPL 2026 Matches Will MS Dhoni Miss for CSK?

Arun Das

Modified - Mar 28, 2026, 06:44 AM

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How Many IPL 2026 Matches Will MS Dhoni Miss for CSK?

The five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will start their campaign on March 30 against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati. The last two seasons have been forgettable for the Super Kings, but they will try to rectify the mistakes this time.

However, ahead of the start of the tournament, CSK have suffered a huge blow as former captain MS Dhoni is set to miss games due to injury. The franchise announced the news on March 28, just two days before their match.

MS Dhoni Injury: How Many Matches Will He Miss for CSK?

MS Dhoni has been with the Super Kings for more than a decade now. He joined the team in 2008 as the skipper, and the rest is history. Five IPL titles and two Champions League trophies are under his belt, making him one of the most successful players in the tournament's history. His contributions with the bat have been quite significant as well.

He has suffered a calf injury and is going through rehab. Hence, one of the best finishers in IPL, Dhoni, is set to miss the first two weeks of the tournament. This is a major blow for CSK and the fans who were looking forward to watching Dhoni game. CSK will play around 4-5 matches in the first two weeks. This means that the franchise will miss the services because of MS Dhoni injury since the games are going to be quite crucial and will decide the team's future in the season as well.

MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of TATA IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala!

CSK's official statement.

How Will MS Dhoni's Absence Impact CSK IPL 2026?

Following MS Dhoni’s injury, the former Chennai Super Kings captain remains a key figure on the field, often seen guiding young players who are living their dream of playing alongside one of the most successful IPL captains. Dhoni’s absence in the early IPL matches will require Ruturaj Gaikwad to take more tactical responsibility based on match situations. However, the five-time IPL champions could struggle with batting depth and finishing, especially in the death overs, where Dhoni usually plays a crucial role, boasting a strike rate of over 225.