Why is MS Dhoni Not Playing in RR vs CSK IPL 2026 Match?
Chennai Super Kings icon MS Dhoni will miss the IPL 2026 match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati. Following an official injury update from the franchise, discover the reason behind his absence and the expected timeline for the 44-year-old’s return to the field.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have commenced their IPL 2026 campaign without their talismanic former captain, MS Dhoni. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter has not travelled with the squad for the Match 3 fixture against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the ACA Stadium, remaining in Chennai to continue his recovery from a recent injury. You can follow RR vs CSK IPL 2026 live scorecard here.
The 44-year-old’s absence marks a significant moment for the franchise, as he has been a near-constant presence in the yellow jersey since the league's inception in 2008.
The Nature of MS Dhoni's Injury
On Saturday, 28 March, Chennai Super Kings released an official medical update confirming that Dhoni is suffering from a calf strain. According to the franchise, the injury occurred during a pre-season practice match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Why is Ravindra Jadeja Playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026?
"MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of TATA IPL 2026," the statement read. Unlike previous seasons where Dhoni managed to play through persistent knee issues, the acute nature of the calf strain has necessitated a period of complete rest and supervised physiotherapy.
MS Dhoni's Expected Return Timeline
CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has indicated that the recovery period is expected to last approximately 14 days. If the rehabilitation follows the projected timeline, Dhoni could miss at least four matches:
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30 March: vs Rajasthan Royals (Away)
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3 April: vs Punjab Kings (Home)
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5 April: vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Away)
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11 April: vs Delhi Capitals (Home)
A realistic target for his return is the high-profile home game against Kolkata Knight Riders on 14 April at Chepauk. However, the team management has stressed that they will not rush the veteran back until he is at 100% match fitness, given his admitted "declining fitness levels" at age 44.
Filling the Wicketkeeping Void
In a fortunate tactical coincidence, CSK’s off-season trade for Sanju Samson has provided them with an immediate world-class replacement behind the stumps. Samson, who was traded from Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, has taken over the gloves for tonight’s encounter.
Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad confirmed that while Dhoni remains the "emotional heartbeat" of the side, the presence of Samson and the investment in uncapped keeper-batter Kartik Sharma ensures that the team's balance remains intact during this transition phase.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 30, 2026 07:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).