MS Dhoni's IPL 2026 absence gets more critical as Stephen Fleming provides a new update on veteran's fitness. The Chennai Super Kings coach confirmed on Sunday evening that the seasoned campaigner has suffered another setback and it is delaying his much-anticipated comeback this year.

 

Dhoni has been on the sidelines since the start of IPL 2026 due to a calf injury, with the franchise expecting him to return within two weeks but it's been four weeks with no concrete timeline for his comeback, fueling fan and experts concerns.

 

Second Injury to Delay the Comeback Further

 

Speaking after the fifth loss of the season for the Chennai Super Kings, Fleming said the development that made him to stay away from action.

 

“He's pretty keen. The calf is a tough one, though. If he takes off and rips it again, then he will be gone. We pushed it early, and in the warm-up game he tweaked it again, it's my understanding. Since then, he has just been working hard to get some movement into it, but there was a setback, so it has taken longer than we thought.”

 

This development confirms the road to recovery for the Indian legend is far from simple. The setback suffered in a warm-up game has forced the management to be careful and he cannot afford a setback and it might seriously harm his overall career as it involves pushing him during the middle of the match.

 

Also Read | IPL 2026: Is MS Dhoni Staying Away from CSK On Purpose? Simon Doull Claims So

 

No Clear Comeback Window

 

Dhoni has been closely watching the team's performance despite being away from matches. He has been present at most of the practice sessions that have been taking place in Chennai, however, his involvement has not been the greatest in all the practice sessions. It is said that he is only practicing facing throwdowns, instead of full intensity practice sessions.

 

At one stage when the captain was spotted donning the keeping pads and having a go at the practice in the nets, rumors started doing rounds that MS Dhoni will make a comeback in the game against Mumbai Indians, but eventually, he did not play the game nor he was even present in the venue of the game. The same story unfolded during the game at home against the Gujarat Titans.

 

The final decision to bring the legend into the squad relies solely on MS Dhoni's fitness.

 

CSK coach Stephen Fleming said:

 

“He is the guide on this one, and he's working hard with the physio and doing all the rehab, and we're just waiting for the word. All I can say is stop making light of it, as he is progressing and doing everything he can.”

 

With Chennai Super Kings currently reeling in the 6th spot on the IPL 2026 points table, with five defeats in eight games, the upcoming clash against Mumbai Indians is very critical. With MS Dhoni set to miss another game, it was anticipated that he will surely be making a comeback for the Mumbai Indians game, however, it doesn't look like it will be happening in near future based on this update.