MS Dhoni not playing vs RCB: When could he return for CSK?

NEW DELHI: MS Dhoni remains the missing portion arsenic Chennai Super Kings instrumentality (CSK) connected Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) successful their much-anticipated IPL 2026 clash successful Bengaluru. The high-voltage confederate derby astatine the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is acceptable to drawback attention, but CSK are coping without their iconic person yet again.While RCB person entered the contention brimming with assurance aft a beardown opening win, CSK are nether unit pursuing 2 consecutive defeats against Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings.

On Sunday, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad gave an update connected Dhoni's instrumentality aft winning the flip and deciding to vessel first. He said, "MS (Dhoni) is getting backmost slowly, sometimes it takes time, if he's acceptable to play, it'll beryllium soon."Dhoni’s lack has people raised questions astir whether the squad is missing his beingness connected the field.CSK had earlier confirmed that Dhoni is sidelined owed to a calf strain and is undergoing rehabilitation. “MS Dhoni is presently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, helium is apt to miss the archetypal 2 weeks of IPL 2026. Get good soon, Thala,” the franchise stated.Despite not playing, caput manager Stephen Fleming stressed that Dhoni continues to stay profoundly progressive with the team.

“It is conscionable a crippled without him. He is inactive heavy progressive successful the side, and his power remains precise strong,” Fleming had said earlier the Punjab Kings encounter.

When could MS Dhoni instrumentality for CSK?

If betterment progresses arsenic expected, Dhoni could instrumentality erstwhile CSK look Kolkata Knight Riders connected April 14 successful Chennai. Should that timeline extend, the adjacent imaginable comeback fixture would beryllium against Sunrisers Hyderabad connected April 18.CSK volition besides beryllium hopeful of having their talisman backmost successful clip for the high-stakes brushwood against Mumbai Indians connected April 23, wherever his acquisition and enactment could beryllium crucial.

RCB vs CSK Playing XIs

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry, Khaleel AhmedRoyal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy