Dhoni and Rohit in fitness race as CSK and MI face must-win IPL clash

Key facts

• MS Dhoni has not played a match in IPL 2026 due to a calf injury sustained before the season.
• Dhoni has not attended CSK's match venues on game days, only pre-match net sessions.
• CSK batting coach Michael Hussey said Dhoni's absence is to prevent his presence from being a distraction.
• Rohit Sharma has played only four matches this season and missed the last four due to a hamstring injury.
• Rohit batted in the nets in Chennai on Friday ahead of the CSK vs MI match.
• Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene said the medical team will decide Rohit's availability on a daily basis.
• CSK and MI are both in must-win territory in the IPL 2026 season.
• Hussey indicated Dhoni is progressing well and could return in the next match or the one after.

Two captains, two injury battles, one crucial match

Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, two of the Indian Premier League's most storied franchises, are preparing to face off at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday with both teams desperate for a win. The fixture has been overshadowed by the uncertain fitness of two iconic captains: MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Dhoni, 42, has not played a single match this season after sustaining a calf injury before the tournament began. Rohit has been limited to four appearances and has missed the last four games due to a hamstring problem. Both teams have said that final decisions on their availability will be made close to match time.

Dhoni's deliberate distance: 'He didn't want to be a distraction'

Chennai Super Kings batting coach Michael Hussey revealed on Friday that Dhoni has deliberately stayed away from the team's match venues on game days. The former India captain has attended pre-match net sessions but has not been present in the dressing room during matches. “He's such a team-orientated guy,” Hussey said ahead of the clash against Mumbai Indians. “He always wants what's best for the team and he was worried that if he came there'd be a bit too much of a distraction. Obviously the cameras would be on him a lot. The crowd would be cheering for him and things like that. And he really wanted the team to just be able to go about their job.” Hussey added that he personally values Dhoni's presence in the dressing room for his wisdom and confidence, but the decision to stay away was Dhoni's own. “It was just a case he didn't want to see himself as a distraction to the rest of the team and that's why he decided on game day just to sort of stay away.”

Recovery progress: running speeds and calf confidence

Hussey provided an update on Dhoni's rehabilitation, saying the wicketkeeper-batter has been increasing his running speeds. The sticking point has been ensuring that Dhoni can maintain running power, especially during the back end of an innings when quick singles and twos are crucial. “I know he's been upping his running speeds and that was probably the sticking point,” Hussey said. “I think we're very confident from a skill perspective with his batting and his wicketkeeping. But it was just making sure that he could maintain good running power particularly towards the back end of an innings where he's going to have to scamper those ones and twos.” Hussey indicated that Dhoni's return could come as soon as the next match. “I don't know if it's tomorrow or maybe the next match after that but he's progressing really well. … As soon as he's got the confidence in his calf then I'm sure he'll give it the tick to ready to go.”

Rohit's hamstring: daily assessments and net practice

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene said that Rohit Sharma batted in the nets in Chennai on Friday and that his availability is being evaluated on a daily basis. Rohit has been sidelined for four consecutive matches due to a hamstring injury. “It's progressed well. He's working really hard to get back at it,” Jayawardene said in the pre-match press conference. “For us, with the medical team, it's on a daily basis. We see how he feels, how he pulls up the next day. So we'll make a decision. We'll see him practising today as well. So let's see how he feels tomorrow and what the medical team will tell us.”

CSK's impact player dilemma: experimentation and stability

Beyond the fitness concerns, Hussey acknowledged that Chennai Super Kings are still grappling with how to best deploy the impact player rule. The team has faced criticism for using the substitute very early in innings on multiple occasions, a strategy that backfired both times. “I think we've been experimenting a little bit,” Hussey said. “We've had obviously four substitutes there ready to go in according to the situation of the match. Sometimes it's worked really well like for example the game Akeal Hosein came in and bowled extremely well in one particular match as the impact sub and then there's other times it hasn't quite worked out.” Hussey added that the team is discussing whether to use the impact player strategically or to maintain greater stability in the lineup. “I think we're starting to sort of think okay well maybe we'd like to keep a bit more stability there through the year and then just use the impact player maybe towards the back end of the innings.”

A city waits: Chennai's anticipation for Dhoni's return

Hussey captured the mood of the franchise and its fans when he said, “I think all of Chennai's waiting. All the fans are waiting and hoping.” The prolonged absence of Dhoni, who has not played a competitive match this season, has dominated headlines every time CSK have taken the field. While Dhoni's return date remains uncertain, the combination of his deliberate match-day absence and the team's cautious approach to his recovery underscores the delicate balance between managing a legend's comeback and maintaining team focus. For now, Chennai Super Kings and their supporters continue to wait.

The bottom line

• MS Dhoni has not played in IPL 2026 due to a calf injury and is staying away from match venues to avoid distracting the team.
• Rohit Sharma has missed four consecutive matches with a hamstring injury and his availability for Saturday's game is uncertain.
• Both CSK and MI are in must-win territory, adding urgency to the fitness decisions.
• CSK is still experimenting with the impact player rule, having faced setbacks with early substitutions.
• Dhoni's recovery is focused on regaining running speed and confidence in his calf, with a possible return in the next match or the one after.
• The match at Chepauk is a high-stakes encounter between two IPL giants, with the absence of their star players shaping the narrative.