Ahead of the high-stakes clash between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians at Chepauk on Saturday, May 2, the buzz is whether MS Dhoni will finally return to action for the Yellow Brigade. The 44-year-old was missing from the playing eleven for the entire duration of IPL 2026 and fans were eagerly awaiting clarity on his comeback. Now former CSK teammate Suresh Raina has strongly hinted that Dhoni might return for this crucial encounter.
Dhoni has yet to feature in the tournament due to a calf injury he sustained before the start of the season. Although he traveled to various locations with the team, he consistently stayed at the team hotel on game days, avoiding the limelight and allowing the team to function without the added attention that his presence naturally brings.
In the pre-match show on JioStar, Raina hinted that the wait might finally be over. “He might play tonight,” Raina said when asked if she had any inside information regarding Dhoni’s return to the MI game. This remark only increased the anticipation among the fans and followers of the franchise. Fellow commentator Aakash Chopra also echoed similar sentiments, further fueling speculation.
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Meanwhile, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey provided an insight into Dhoni’s decision to stay away from the match environment. He explained that Dhoni deliberately chose to keep a low profile so as not to distract him.
“He’s such a team-oriented guy,” Hussey said in a pregame press conference. “He always wants the best for the team and he felt that if he went down the focus would shift towards him. The cameras would be on him, the crowd would react loudly and it could take the focus away from the players. He wanted the team to do their job without any extra pressure.”
Hussey also clarified that Dhoni is physically capable of contributing with both bat and gloves. However, the only factor delaying his return to the playing eleven is his running condition, which remains the last obstacle.
While there is still no official confirmation from the franchise, the possibility of Dhoni’s return against Mumbai Indians – or in the upcoming match against Delhi Capitals on May 5 – has significantly raised the excitement around CSK’s campaign and could provide a big boost at a crucial stage of the season.
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Published on:
02 May 2026 15:51 IST
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