MS Dhoni (Image credit: CSK/IPL) Excitement is building in the Chennai Super Kings camp as legendary former captain MS Dhoni is likely to travel to Lucknow with the team ahead of their crucial IPL 2026 clash against Lucknow Super Giants on May 15.Chennai Super Kings are fifth in the IPL 2026 points table with six wins and five losses from 11 matches. After enduring a disastrous start to the campaign with three successive defeats, the five-time champions staged an impressive recovery to win six of their last eight games.A big part of CSK’s revival has been fueled by Sanju Samson, who has emerged as the team’s top batsman this season with 304 runs, including two centuries. Led by Ruturaj Gaikwad and head coach Stephen Fleming, CSK have once again placed themselves firmly in the playoff conversation. Young pacer Anshul Kamboj has also impressed with the ball and leads the wicket-taking charts with 14 scalps this season.Dhoni, who has been sidelined for the entire season with a calf injury, has traveled sparingly with the team this year. The CSK icon only accompanied the team for two away matches, against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians, and was also absent from several home matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.However, according to Cricbuzz CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has confirmed that the franchise has booked Dhoni on a commercial IndiGo flight along with the rest of the 60-member traveling contingent to Lucknow. While the management remains hopeful, there is still uncertainty as Dhoni could make a last-minute decision about the trip.
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Delhi Capitals’ Madhav Tiwari reflects on his brilliant all-round performanceThe former India captain is yet to feature in a single match of IPL 2026, but expectations have been growing for a possible return. With CSK still in contention for a place in the playoffs, it is increasingly believed that Dhoni could make at least one appearance in the franchise’s remaining three league matches, against Lucknow Super Giants on 15 May, Sunrisers Hyderabad on 18 May and Gujarat Titans on 21 May.With the play-off race tightening, CSK are likely to need at least two wins from their last three league matches to safely reach the 16-point mark traditionally considered sufficient for qualification.Their remaining fixtures are:May 15: vs Lucknow Super Giants (Away)May 18: vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (Home)May 21: vs Gujarat Titans (Home)
