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New Delhi: MS Dhoni has not played a single match in IPL 2026 so far. The wicketkeeper-batsman has been training with the team for the last two weeks, but did not take the field. The team management has also not given any date for his return.

Many media reports claimed that Dhoni could return in the high-voltage match against Mumbai Indians on 23 April. Now recently, before this big match, Chennai Super Kings bowling coach Eric Simmons made it clear that no decision has been taken yet.

Doubt on Dhoni’s return: still intact 

Let us tell you that CSK’s bowling coach Eric Simmons said a night before the match, “The decision regarding Dhoni will be taken tomorrow by himself and the medical staff together if he is completely ready to play.” That means whether MS Dhoni will play or not, it will be decided on the morning of the match itself.

Actually Mahendra Singh Dhoni is out of the team due to calf injury. He was not even traveling with the team for matches outside Chennai and was also not seen in the domestic matches. Recently he traveled with the team for the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which made it seem that maybe he will play. But Dhoni remained sitting in the pavilion. However, before the match, he was seen practicing in the nets with CSK players.

Rohit Sharma will also be out! 

It is noteworthy that former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma is finding it difficult to play against Chennai. In the last match, captain Hardik Pandya had told that Rohit may stay out of ‘El Clasico’ of Indian cricket. The situation is still the same. Rohit has not participated in the training session. In his absence, Will Jacques may return to the playing eleven.

He can open with Quinton de Kock. If Jacques plays, Mitchell Santner may have to sit out. Sherfane Rutherford and A. Ghazanfar can remain in the team along with two other foreign players. The arrival of Jacques will strengthen MI’s batting, which has been struggling so far in IPL 2026.