Veteran cricketer MS Dhoni is expected to miss the initial two weeks of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season due to a calf strain, his team, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), confirmed on Saturday. The announcement puts Dhoni's participation in the early fixtures, including CSK's opening match on Monday, into question.

Chennai Super Kings issued a statement indicating that Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for the injury. "MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of TATA IPL 2026," the team's communication stated. The 44-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is a pivotal figure for the franchise.

Dhoni, a two-time World Cup-winning captain for India, has an illustrious history with Chennai Super Kings, having led them to five IPL titles. He has continued to play exclusively in the tournament since his international retirement in 2020, defying age to remain a key player. Despite his long career, Dhoni featured in all 14 matches for CSK last year, batting at number seven under captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and scoring 196 runs during the season.

The absence of Dhoni could impact CSK as they commence their 2026 campaign. The team, which last lifted the IPL trophy in 2023, finished at the bottom of the 10-team table in the previous season. Chennai Super Kings is scheduled to play their first match of the tournament on Monday against Rajasthan Royals.