4 min learnChennaiUp to date: Might 21, 2026 11:13 AM IST
With the thumb damage but to heal, MS Dhoni has headed house to Ranchi at the same time as Chennai Tremendous Kings get able to tackle a vital fixture in opposition to Gujarat Titans on Thursday. With CSK’s possibilities of making the play-offs showing slim, the IPL 2026 marks the primary version of the match the place Dhoni hasn’t performed a single sport and places a query mark round his future.
“I can affirm Dhoni will not be right here (Ahmedabad) with the group, but when we do occur to qualify, he’ll undoubtedly be part of again up with the squad. He’s obtained a little bit of a sore thumb. He’s recovering properly, however he gained’t be prepared for this match. If we handle to get by way of to the playoffs, hopefully he’ll be alright,” Hussey mentioned.
Having been dominated out initially of the season for 2 weeks resulting from a calf damage, Dhoni then determined to take a seat out of the matches after regaining health as a result of he did’t need to take a spot of Kartik Sharma, who’s being groomed for the following season. However with the accidents mounting within the camp and across the time Jamie Overton left house with a thigh damage, a spot had open up and Dhoni was speculated to journey to Lucknow for his or her away fixture.
Nonetheless a thumb damage that Dhoni sustained within the observe session dominated him out. Although he tried to get into the XII for his or her final house match in opposition to Sunrisers Hyderabad, when their qualification destiny was in their very own fingers, he pulled out as a result of he wasn’t 100 per cent match.
Having not chosen to journey to any of the venues on match days, Dhoni made a uncommon look on the Chepauk on Monday. Although he left the group lodge with the remainder of the gamers, he made his entry into the sector solely throughout the innings break for a group {photograph}. And as soon as the match was over, an emotional Dhoni took a lap of honour with the remainder of the gamers and help workers.
Whereas Dhoni has been at thick of planning and preparation, in keeping with these within the know, this season he has indifferent himself from it and leaving it to move coach Stephen Fleming and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. On the similar time, throughout the internet classes, Dhoni had taken the job of grooming Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer – two younger gamers who have been purchased at Rs 14.2 crore every.
However past that Dhoni has most well-liked to remain behind the scenes. After the defeat to Hyderabad, Fleming was requested if there had been any talks with the previous captain on the following season, and the Kiwi’s response was transient. “No. we’re working by way of this one,” Fleming mentioned.
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For a franchise that’s identified to start out trying forward mid-way by way of the season, Fleming’s response appeared unusual. And in keeping with these within the know, Dhoni appears to have been excited by the prospect of taking part in this season, principally as an Impression Participant as Sanju Samson had been lined-up behind the stumps. However due to the dual accidents he didn’t handle to play a single sport and with Dhoni to show 45 shortly, whether or not he would come again subsequent season as a participant stays anyone’s guess as he hasn’t knowledgeable of his plans to the franchise.