Chennai Super Kings’ biggest question in IPL 2026 continues to revolve around the return of legendary skipper MS Dhoni. With the franchise managing just three wins from their first eight matches, fans are eagerly waiting for clarity on whether Dhoni will feature again this season.
Dhoni has been sidelined since the start of IPL 2026 due to a calf injury, and despite several expectations around his return, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter has remained unavailable. He was tipped to make a comeback in Chennai’s recent clash against Mumbai Indians, but that did not happen, leaving supporters disappointed once again.
Ravichandran Ashwin on when MS Dhoni may play for CSK in IPL 2026
Speaking about the red-hot topic, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now shared his thoughts on the matter, suggesting that Dhoni may only make a comeback if CSK are officially out of the playoff race. According to Ashwin, the franchise is unlikely to take any unnecessary risk while they still have a mathematical chance of reaching the top four.
Ashwin explained that CSK’s management would prefer to be cautious with Dhoni’s fitness rather than rushing him into action during such a crucial phase of the tournament.
Ashwin, who was part of the Chennai Super Kings setup last season, believes Dhoni’s presence will only be considered if the team is no longer fighting for a playoff spot. He stated that if CSK are eliminated from the tournament, Dhoni might return, but as long as they remain alive in the competition, the team would avoid taking such a major risk. Ashwin also pointed out that despite the difficult road ahead, Chennai still have a realistic chance of making the playoffs.
“If CSK gets out of the tournament, then MS Dhoni might play. CSK are still in the tournament, so why will they take the risk now? I still feel that CSK have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. But yeah, it is difficult. The way CSK have played in the last five matches, it has given them a little confidence. CSK’s bowling is firing, if their batting fires, they can put together three wins on the bounce,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
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CSK’s recent improvement offers hope
Although Chennai have struggled for consistency this season, Ashwin feels their performances in the last few matches have shown signs of improvement. Their bowling unit, in particular, has started delivering stronger performances and keeping them competitive in tight contests.
Ashwin mentioned that CSK’s bowling attack is firing well, and if the batting unit can finally click together, the five-time champions could still put together a winning streak and revive their campaign. Winning a few consecutive matches, according to him, could completely change the playoff picture for the franchise. While it remains a challenging task, the experienced core of the squad gives them hope.
For now, all eyes remain on Dhoni’s recovery and CSK’s results in the coming fixtures. Whether the iconic captain returns this season or not may depend entirely on how Chennai perform over the next few games.
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