Dhoni to miss IPL 2026 opener with calf strain; CSK seek cover
Dhoni to miss IPL 2026 opener with calf strain; CSK seek cover
CSK confirm M.S. Dhoni's calf strain sidelines the captain for the first two weeks of IPL 2026, prompting plans around Sanju Samson and Kartik Sharma as the campaign kicks off in Guwahati.
M.S. Dhoni is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026 after suffering a calf strain, CSK confirmed on Saturday. The team said he is undergoing rehabilitation in Chennai and is expected to take about two weeks to recover, with the injury reportedly sustained during a practice match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. The 44-year-old’s fitness has been a talking point in recent months, and he acknowledged at the CSK ROAR’26 event that his pace and stamina are areas to manage as he weighs future playing plans. Dhoni featured in all 14 IPL 2025 league matches, continuing to balance workload while adapting to aging with careful handling.
With Dhoni unavailable, CSK will lean on wicketkeeping options Sanju Samson and Kartik Sharma, the latter described as an uncapped young talent who has been nurtured within the CSK setup. The setback comes as CSK prepare to open their 2026 campaign against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30, adding an early test of depth to the defending champions’ squad.
The injury not only affects the captaincy and leadership dynamics but also the team’s balance behind the stumps and in the middle order. CSK will hope Dhoni’s rehabilitation goes smoothly and that the squad can gel quickly in his absence, while the youngsters seize the opportunity to push their case for more involved roles as the season unfolds. In the weeks ahead, the franchise will closely monitor fitness progress and adjust strategies to keep their title defense on track.
