
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.