The atmosphere at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai was electric as fans thronged the iconic venue hoping to witness something special. with Chennai Super Kings take over Sunrisers Hyderabad In the must-win IPL 2026 clash, the biggest pre-match talk revolved around one man — MS Dhoni. After Dhoni arrived in Chepauk on the day of the match for the first time this season, speculations intensified and hopes of a surprise comeback began. But the CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad the legendary goalkeeper confirmed in the shootout that he is still not fit enough to return to action.
The game took on an added emotional significance as it marked Chennai Super Kings’ last home match of the IPL 2026 league stage. Thousands of Dhoni-clad supporters thronged the stands in anticipation of a memorable evening, especially after rumors of a possible comeback circulated on social media throughout the day.
MS Dhoni’s injury struggles continue in IPL 2026
Dhoni has not played a single game in IPL 2026 due to a series of fitness setbacks. The former CSK skipper initially picked up a calf strain during the pre-season, which kept him out in the opening stages of the tournament. While fans were hoping for a mid-season return, the injury reportedly worsened during his rehabilitation.
To make matters worse, Dhoni is also believed to have injured his thumb during practice ahead of CSK’s clash against Lucknow Super Giants. Since then, the veteran cricketer has remained away from active participation and has been on a rehabilitation programme.
Interestingly, despite missing every match this season, Dhoni’s arrival at Chepauk on the day of the match created a lot of excitement among the Chennai crowd. Until now, he either stayed at the team hotel or rehabbed both at home and on the road.
Ruturaj Gaikwad reveals why Dhoni is not playing in Chepauk
Former India coach and commentator during the toss Ravi Shastri asked the question every fan wants answered – will Dhoni finally make a comeback. Gaikwad directly addressed the situation after winning the toss and electing to bat first. While confirming Dhoni’s absence from the match, the CSK skipper hinted that a comeback at the end of the season could still be possible.
“He’s still here but he’s not fit enough to play this game. Hopefully we’ll win this game and you never know in the last game.” Gaikwad said during the shooting.
The statement immediately sparked fresh excitement among CSK supporters, many of whom interpreted it as a sign that the team could potentially return to the final league stage if Dhoni remains in playoff contention.
CSK aims to keep their playoff hopes alive
Apart from the Dhoni story, the match itself was of great importance for Chennai Super Kings. A defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad will seriously dent their playoff hopes and make this clash a virtual knockout encounter.
Gaikwad’s decision to bat first also caught the eye as it marked the first time in IPL 2026 that the captain, who won the toss in Chennai, chose to set the target. The CSK captain explained that the surface looked dry and with little dew expected later in the evening, batting first was a better option.
He also made it clear that CSK is targeting a strong total around the 200-run mark to put pressure on Hyderabad in a high-stakes contest.
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