MS Dhoni Skips Delhi Trip as Calf Injury Keeps CSK Icon Out of IPL 2026 Clash

Key facts

• MS Dhoni has not traveled to Delhi for CSK's match against Delhi Capitals on May 6, 2026.
• Dhoni is rehabilitating a calf injury in Chennai and has not played a single IPL game this season.
• His last IPL appearance was against Gujarat Titans on May 25, 2025.
• CSK have five remaining league matches after the Delhi fixture.
• Chennai Super Kings are sixth in the points table with four wins from nine games.
• Rohit Sharma returned from a hamstring injury, scoring 84 off 44 balls in MI's chase of 229.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored two half-centuries this season, with bowling coach Eric Simmons praising his 'surgeon-like' batting.

Dhoni's Absence Confirmed for Delhi Capitals Clash

MS Dhoni will not be available for selection when Chennai Super Kings face Delhi Capitals at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Tuesday, May 6. The former captain and CSK talisman has stayed back in Chennai, where he continues to undergo rehabilitation for a calf injury. His absence was confirmed when the team arrived in the capital on Monday afternoon under searing heat, with fans hoping to catch a glimpse of the wicketkeeper-batsman.

Franchise Hopes for Dhoni's Return Remain Unclear

It is evident that Dhoni is still not match-ready, but franchise officials have not ruled out him playing a game in the ongoing season. 'He should be available at some stage,' a senior team official told Cricbuzz. CSK have five more games left in the season after the Delhi fixture, including home matches against Lucknow Super Giants on May 10 and Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 18, as well as away games against Delhi Capitals in Lucknow on May 15 and Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on May 21. Dhoni has not played a single game this season; his last IPL appearance was against Gujarat Titans almost a year ago, on May 25, 2025.

Gaikwad's Resurgence Provides Silver Lining for CSK

While Dhoni's absence looms, Chennai's focus has shifted to the quiet resurgence of their captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad. Gaikwad has already registered two half-centuries this season. the context of those runs matters far more than their volume. 'I don't think one must not link his runs to his captaincy,' Simmons said. 'He's always been very clear around the leadership and he's very much the leader of the team.' Simmons emphasized that Gaikwad the captain was never under scrutiny within the setup, even if outside noise attempted to connect his batting returns with leadership pressure.

Simmons Praises Gaikwad's 'Surgeon-Like' Batting

Simmons highlighted how Gaikwad's runs have come under difficult circumstances. 'He's had some tough innings in the sense that we've been in trouble, the wicket's been tough, and he's battled through them,' Simmons said. 'I think that's the hallmark of a really quality batsman—that he doesn't just score runs on good wickets.' In a season where surfaces have varied and batting has often swung between extremes, Gaikwad's method stands out for its control. 'To me, I've always called him a surgeon in this world of chaos batting,' Simmons added. 'He's the kind of guy that gets 50 runs in 22 balls and you haven't noticed him. We're starting to see that part of Rutu again.'

CSK's Playoff Hinge on Remaining Matches

Chennai Super Kings are in sixth position in the points table with four wins from nine games. They remain in with a good chance of qualifying for the last-four stage, needing at least four wins from their remaining matches. Simmons expressed confidence in the team's trajectory. 'We still have our destiny in our own hands. We do know that we can beat any team in the league,' he said. 'When we play well, we look really unbeatable.' That confidence will be tested against a Delhi side equally desperate to climb the league table, as both teams sit on eight points, placed sixth and seventh respectively.

Rohit Sharma's Return Bolsters Mumbai Indians

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma's availability for Mumbai Indians remains unclear, though there are encouraging signals from the MI camp. It is understood that the team management has left the decision entirely to Rohit himself on whether to play the home game against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday night. Rohit, who has been out of action since April 12 due to a hamstring injury, batted for almost an hour on Sunday evening at the Wankhede after going through some fitness drills. Sunday was a travel day for Mumbai Indians, but Rohit came to the ground with head coach Mahela Jayawardene and had a long batting session. Given the importance of the Monday night fixture, Rohit may decide to play.

Injuries and Off-Field Turmoil Across IPL

Injuries have frustrated three of the biggest IPL franchises—MI, CSK, and RCB. Hardik Pandya missed the must-win MI vs LSG match due to back spasms, with Suryakumar Yadav taking over as captain. RCB opener Phil Salt has returned to England midway through the season after injuring a finger on his left hand while fielding on April 18; he will undergo scans in England. Off the field, the Kal Somani-led consortium, which included Walmart heir Rob Walton and the Hamp family of the Detroit Lions, is planning to take legal action after Rajasthan Royals was sold to the Mittal family and Adar Poonawalla for INR 15,660 crore. Somani alleges that the sale process wasn't handled fairly. Additionally, England fast bowler Mark Wood revealed that an unnamed IPL franchise owner wanted to force him to play while he was unwell, despite a doctor's advice against it.

The bottom line

• MS Dhoni remains sidelined with a calf injury and has not played any IPL 2026 match; his return timeline is uncertain.
• CSK have five games left and need at least four wins to secure a playoff spot, currently sitting sixth with four wins from nine.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad's batting resurgence, including two half-centuries, has been a key positive for Chennai, with his captaincy praised by the coaching staff.
• Rohit Sharma is nearing a return from a hamstring injury, with the decision on his participation left to him by MI management.
• Injuries have impacted multiple franchises, including Hardik Pandya's back spasms and Phil Salt's finger injury, while off-field controversies surround RR's sale and Mark Wood's allegations.