Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull has suggested that MS Dhoni’s absence from CSK in IPL 2026 could be deliberate.
The 44-year-old former CSK captain has not played any matches this IPL season as he is recovering from a calf muscle strain. There is a lot of speculation about when he might return, but he has not returned to action yet.
Doull was talking to Cricbuzz about Dhoni’s absence on the field. He suggested that this absence is not just about fitness but he wants to stay away from the limelight so that CSK can get used to life without him.
“He’s staying away from the field to make sure the team is brutal” – Simon Doull
Simon Doull said that MS Dhoni is keeping himself away so that the new leadership of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and senior players like Sanju Samson around him can breathe.
Dol said, “What MS is doing very well is that he is staying away. He is staying away from the field… trying to the best of his ability, from an absolute legend of the game, to make sure that when they come on the field, the team is ruthless.”
MS Dhoni stays away from the field
Dhoni spent the beginning of the season away from the field. His absence was initially reported to be only two weeks, but it continued to extend.
Dhoni traveled with the CSK team to Hyderabad for the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, leading to speculation that he might actually feature in that game.
Despite traveling to Hyderabad, he decided not to take the field as CSK suffered a close 10-run defeat.
When the team reached Mumbai for the El Clasico clash against Mumbai Indians, MS Dhoni was seen at the training nets for the first time this season. Dhoni was seen practicing both his batting and wicket-keeping skills in the nets.
CSK has reached fifth place in the points table
With MS Dhoni honing his glove skills in the nets, speculations were rife that he will play against MI at the Wankhede Stadium. Ultimately, he stayed away and did not reach the field.
Chennai Super Kings did not let this hinder them and performed comprehensively. Sanju Samson scored his second century of the season and, playing alone, took CSK past 200 runs. In fact, after Samson’s century, the next highest individual score by a CSK batsman was Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 22.
Akeal Hosein took two wickets in the powerplay as MI suffered an early defeat. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Verma tried their best to steady the collapse but Akeal Hosein removed both of them to seal the win for CSK.
MI’s tail did not offer much resistance as CSK moved up to fifth place in the points table after the 103-run win.
The return of MS Dhoni will undoubtedly be a confidence booster for CSK as they look to build on their dominant win against MI to advance to the playoffs.
Also read: “His Majesty:” Ruturaj Gaikwad dedicates win against MI to Mukesh Chaudhary after fast bowler’s personal loss
