MS Dhoni’s comeback has been a relevant question whenever Chennai Super Kings (CSK) play in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, the question was the same before skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad disappointed the fans with his remark “thanks to the legend (Dhoni) who is unfortunately not here” when asked about the team’s reception in Mumbai.
Dhoni was initially ruled out for two weeks on March 28 due to a calf strain. Although two weeks had passed long before, Dhoni wooed his fans by keeping wickets in the nets for the first time in the 2026 season on the eve of the match. CSK batting coach Michael Hussey revealed that Dhoni is not 100% fit, delaying his return for the five-time champions.
“Yes, he is progressing really well. I know he is pushing hard to come back as fast as possible. I know all the fans want to see MS Dhoni play as well. So we hope maybe in the next few matches. We want him to come back as fast as possible,” Hussey told the broadcaster during the mid-match interview when asked about Dhoni.
“But of course he needs to be almost 100% fit to give his best. Because he has been hitting well in the nets. He looks good in the nets. He just needs to run hard between the wickets,” added the former Australian starter.
Will MS Dhoni keep wickets on his return?
With Sanju Samson and Kartik Sharma on the wicket-keeping side, there were speculations about whether Dhoni would play a full game or come in as an impact substitute, defining his role as a pure batsman.
Adding water to these speculations, Hussey stated that Dhoni will definitely be behind the stumps on his return. “Oh, I’m pretty sure he’ll be behind the stumps. The biggest thing for him is he’s had a calf injury, it’s just a run and a late innings, if he comes in and has to bounce around the ones and twos, he’s just got to make sure the calf is strong enough to take it.”
“But certainly skill-wise we know what he can do as a keeper. We know he bats, bats really well, so hopefully he gets that confidence in his body,” added Hussey. In the process, Dhoni missed the seventh match for CSK in IPL 2026 due to a calf strain, including the match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.
CSK riding the magic of Sanju Samson at the Wankhede
Meanwhile, Sanju Samson smashed his fifth IPL century as his 101 not out powered CSK to 207/6 against Mumbai Indians. The CSK opener and the keeper-batsman stayed till the end and held the innings together with wickets falling at regular intervals at the other end.
Samson hit 10 fours and six sixes in a 54-ball knock. It was his second century for CSK. For Mumbai Indians, Allah Ghazanfar and Ashwani Kumar took two wickets each, while Jasprit Bumrah (1/31) was cleaned up.
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