Dhoni hit by fresh injury concern, CSK coach reveals second setback

Chennai Super Kings icon MS Dhoni has encountered another injury setback ahead of IPL 2026, with concerns growing over his recovery timeline after a second issue was confirmed by the team management.

The veteran wicketkeeper-batter had recently raised hopes of a comeback after being seen undergoing an intense wicketkeeping session at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The training session was viewed as a major step in his rehabilitation, with Dhoni completing an extended period behind the stumps during CSK nets.

However, Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has now revealed that Dhoni has suffered a second setback in his recovery, delaying his return to competitive action.

Dhoni had already been sidelined from the early phase of IPL 2026 due to a calf strain, and Fleming confirmed that the injury was aggravated again during training.

“The calf is a tough one. If he takes off and rips it again, then he will be gone,” Fleming said, explaining that Dhoni “tweaked it again” during a warm-up session, resulting in an unexpected delay in his recovery process.

He further added that the former CSK captain has been working closely with the medical and fitness staff, focusing on rehabilitation and mobility, but progress has been slower than anticipated due to the setback.

Despite the injury concerns, Dhoni had recently been seen taking part in wicketkeeping drills for around 40 minutes, which had sparked speculation about a possible return in CSK’s early fixtures, including their clash against Mumbai Indians.

However, he did not feature in the matchday squad, with Fleming confirming that the franchise is closely monitoring his condition before making any decision on his return.

Dhoni’s absence has forced CSK to adjust their leadership structure and on-field combinations, particularly in the wicketkeeping role, where his experience has long been a key tactical asset.

The franchise had earlier indicated that Dhoni would miss the opening phase of the season, with his comeback entirely dependent on medical clearance and continued recovery assessments.