NEW DELHI: The biggest question surrounding the highly anticipated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) versus Mumbai Indians clash is whether MS Dhoni will finally make his appearance in IPL 2026. CSK's batting coach, Michael Hussey, has provided a positive update on the former captain's recovery from a calf injury that has sidelined him for the past three weeks.
Hussey Optimistic About Dhoni's Return
Speaking on the eve of the match at Chepauk, Hussey stated, "Hopefully he'll be back as soon as possible. I don't know if it's tomorrow or the next match after that, but he's progressing really well." The coach emphasized that Dhoni's cricketing skills remain sharp, with the primary focus on regaining full running fitness.
"I know he's been upping his running speeds, and that was probably the sticking point. We're very confident from a skill perspective with his batting and wicketkeeping," Hussey explained. "It was just making sure he could maintain good running power, especially towards the back end of an innings where he needs to scan for singles and twos. As soon as he has confidence in his calf, I'm sure he'll give the green light."
Dhoni to Make Final Decision
The ultimate call rests with Dhoni himself. Hussey added, "Once he feels confident in his calf, I'm sure he'll signal he's ready. At the moment, we're guided by him. We're waiting—I think all of Chennai is waiting."
Staying Away to Avoid Distractions
Interestingly, Dhoni has not been present in the dugout during matches—a deliberate choice to keep the focus on the team. Hussey revealed, "He's such a team-oriented guy. He always wants what's best for the team and was worried that if he came, there'd be too much distraction. The cameras would be on him, the crowd would cheer for him... he really wanted the team to just go about their job."
Despite his absence on match days, Dhoni remains actively involved behind the scenes. "He's been watching very closely back home. He's at training all the time, a bubbly personality, and offers a lot of his experience," Hussey said.
Stay updated with the latest IPL Live Score, IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL Schedule, check the IPL Points Table, and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap.
