MS Dhoni travelled to Hyderabad with the Chennai Super Kings squad on April 16, 2026, ahead of their IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on April 18. Chennai Super Kings posted a video on their official X account showing Dhoni boarding the team bus for the flight.
The 44-year-old arrived at Hyderabad Airport accompanied by his wife, Sakshi and daughter Ziva, with large crowds gathering outside to catch a glimpse of him. However, whether he will feature in the playing XI against SRH remains uncertain.
The Injury That Has Kept Him Out
On the opening day of IPL 2026, March 28, CSK announced that Dhoni was undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain and was likely to miss the first two weeks of the season. That two-week window has now passed, but his return to full match fitness has not been confirmed.
Dhoni has not yet batted at full intensity in practice sessions, facing only throwdowns primarily from batting coach and former CSK teammate Michael Hussey. He has also not resumed wicketkeeping during training, which remains a key indicator of readiness for a player whose role behind the stumps is central to his match-day function.
Head coach Stephen Fleming addressed Dhoni’s absence before the team’s game against Punjab Kings, describing him as a figure whose influence on the franchise extends well beyond the playing field.
Reports ahead of the SRH fixture suggest that Dhoni’s more realistic return date could be the away game against the Mumbai Indians on April 23 at Wankhede Stadium. However, nothing has been confirmed by the franchise.
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CSK’s Season Without Dhoni So Far
The Super Kings started IPL 2026 without their most decorated player and felt the absence in the early weeks. They lost their first three matches of the season before steadying with consecutive wins over Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders.
The wins over DC and KKR came at Chepauk, where Sanju Samson, signed as a marquee acquisition for this season, contributed significantly with the bat, including a century against Delhi Capitals. CSK are yet to win an away game in IPL 2026.
In Dhoni’s absence, Samson has taken over wicketkeeping duties. Young batter Kartik Sharma was used in the lower middle order across the first few matches before losing his place after a run of low scores.
What This Trip Signals
The decision to travel with the squad, rather than remain in Chennai to continue rehabilitation, is the clearest indication yet that Dhoni is progressing toward a return. For CSK, a team navigating a difficult stretch away from home, his presence on the sideline carries its own weight even before he steps onto the field.
His IPL 2026 season has been unusual by his own standards. Dhoni played all 14 league matches in the 2025 season, averaging 135.17 with the bat from 13 innings in a campaign that ended with CSK finishing bottom of the table with four wins.
This year, the franchise has restructured around Samson at the top of the order and Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain, with Dhoni’s role remaining defined but not yet active. When he does return, his entry into the playing XI will prompt selection decisions that the management has so far deliberately kept quiet about.
The SRH fixture on April 18 is match 24 of IPL 2026. Whether it becomes Dhoni’s first appearance of the season remains the central question heading into the weekend.
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