MS Dhoni has missed the entire league stage of IPL 2026 for CSK, for the first time in the history of the tournament

MS Dhoni (Image credit: BCCI/IPL) NEW DELHI: Hopes of catching a glimpse of the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Chennai Super Kings’ final IPL 2026 league match against Gujarat Titans ended on Thursday. Dhoni did not feature in a single game this season, the first time in IPL history that the former CSK skipper did not play a single match for the franchise he led to five IPL titles.Dhoni’s absence from the clash against Gujarat Titans did not come as a surprise as CSK batting coach Michael Hussey had already confirmed that the veteran wicketkeeper injured his thumb and will miss the crucial encounter.However, Hussey hinted that Dhoni could return if CSK qualifies for the playoffs. Dhoni also did not travel with the team to Ahmedabad for the match.“Hopefully if we can make the playoffs he should be fine,” Hussey said.

Dhoni’s IPL journey

Dhoni was signed by CSK in the inaugural IPL auction in 2008 and has remained the face of the franchise ever since.Following a two-year suspension for CSK in 2016 and 2017, Dhoni turned out for Rising Pune Supergiants, the only other franchise he represented in the IPL.In 278 IPL matches, Dhoni scored 5439 runs at an average of 38.30, including 24 half-centuries.In an illustrious IPL career spanning 278 matches, Dhoni – who represented both Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiants – had missed only five IPL matches before this season. Three of them came in 2010 against Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while the other two came in 2019 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians.As captain, he led Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles – in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023 – while guiding the franchise to a record 10 IPL finals.

Dhoni’s IPL stats

Tournament TeamsMatInnsRunsHSAveSR50sCtStIPL2 Teams278242543984*38.30137.452415847IPL 2025CSK141319630*24.50135.17065IPL 2024CSK141116137*53.66220.540100IPL 2023CSK161210432*26.00182.45073IPL 2022CSK141323250*33.14123.4019 2021CSK161111418*16.28106.540130IPL 2020/21CSK141220047*25.00116.270151IPL 2019CSK151241684*83.20115I4. 2018CSK161545579*75.83150.663113IPL 2017RPS161529061*26.36115.991103IPL 2016RPS141228464*40.57145IPL231 2015CSK17173725331.00121.96183IPL 2014CSK161537157*74.20148.40131IPL 2013CSK181646167*41.90162.894152IPL 2012CSK191735851*29.83128.771122IPL 2011CSK161339270*43.55158.70255IPL 2009/10CSK131128766*31.881636. 2009CSK141333258*41.50127.20244IPL 2007/08CSK16144146541.40133.54260