Chennai Super Kings (CSK) left-arm seamer Mukesh Choudhary has left the team to return home following the passing of his mother, Prem Devi. The pacer is likely to miss tonight’s high-stakes IPL 2026 match against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium. Choudhary, who had recently regained his place in the starting XI, reportedly received the news on Tuesday and immediately departed the team hotel in Hyderabad to join his family in Bhilwara, Rajasthan. MS Dhoni Impact Player Role: Will MSD Return for MI vs CSK IPL 2026 Match?

The timing of the bereavement is particularly poignant, as Choudhary had travelled with the CSK squad to Mumbai earlier this week. His mother had been receiving treatment for a prolonged illness at the Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai for over a year. Upon receiving the news of her passing, Mukesh left to perform the last rites in their maternal town, Garhwalon ka Khera.

On the field, Choudhary’s absence represents a significant blow to a CSK bowling attack already grappling with injury concerns. After a period on the sidelines, Choudhary had looked back to his best in the previous game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where he claimed the prized wickets of Travis Head and Ishan Kishan. IPL 2026: MS Dhoni's Mobile Phone Wallpaper Revealed: A Tribute to the Indian Army and the Balidaan Badge.

CSK currently sit in the eighth position on the IPL 2026 points table, level on four points with their arch-rivals, Mumbai Indians. While the "El Clasico" of the IPL is usually defined by on-field rivalries, tonight's atmosphere will undoubtedly be somber as the cricketing community rallies around Choudhary.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 23, 2026 11:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).