New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings suffered a major setback in IPL 2026 with talisman MS Dhoni not traveling to New Delhi for Tuesday’s upcoming match against Delhi Capitals. The veteran remains in Chennai to continue his recovery from a calf injury, raising fresh concerns over his availability this season.Dhoni’s absence from the team shows that he is not yet ready to play and has not played a single match in IPL 2026 so far. Despite the uncertainty, Chennai Super Kings officials remain cautiously optimistic. “He should be back at some stage,” a senior team official told Cricbuzz, suggesting a late-season return was still a possibility.CSK’s playoff hopes hang in the balanceThe development comes at a crucial time for CSK, who currently sit sixth in the table with four wins from nine games. With five games left in the league, the team will likely need at least four wins to secure a playoff spot.After the match against Delhi Capitals on May 6, CSK faces a hectic schedule that includes games against Lucknow Supergiants, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans. The second leg against Delhi Capitals also adds a tough run-in where experience could prove decisive.Dhoni’s leadership and finishing ability have long been central to CSK’s success and his continued absence has left a clear void on and off the field.Key players face uncertaintyWhile CSK grapples with Dhoni’s fitness issues, Mumbai Indians are also monitoring the situation of Rohit Sharma, whose recovery from his hamstring injury remains uncertain.Rohit, who has been out for five games, showed encouraging signs during a lengthy batting session at the Wankhede Stadium recently. However, the final decision on whether he will feature in the match or not has been taken by the player himself ahead of Monday’s match against Lucknow Supergiants.As the tournament enters a decisive phase, injuries to key players like Dhoni and Rohit could prove decisive in the playoff race, leaving the team to contend with form and fitness challenges.
