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The Chennai Super Kings have come into form again in IPL 2026 despite an underwhelming start to the tournament. The side currently boasts a record of three wins out of four games after thrashing Mumbai Indians by 103 runs at the Wankhede Stadium under the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad.

On the other hand, one topic which continues to generate a lot of debate among fans is the non-participation of MS Dhoni in any match so far this year. Although the former captain was initially expected to sit out for a couple of weeks, he has now skipped more than a month of cricketing action.

As per The Indian Express, Dhoni is perfectly fit to take part in the matches, but he has decided not to be in the playing XI. The reason is very straightforward; he wants to avoid making changes to the team's lineup when things are going well for CSK.

Even though Dhoni hasn't played in any match so far, he has still been active within the squad. The veteran player has been spotted practicing with his teammates and has also accompanied them during away trips to Hyderabad and Mumbai for encounters against SRH and MI.

Also Read | CSK Confirm MS Dhoni Won’t Play as Impact Player in IPL 2026

CSK coach Stephen Fleming, on the other hand, stated a different account for Dhoni's condition. He mentioned that the veteran was being monitored and that he was being handled carefully.

"He's progressing well. He's on the road to recovery and doing everything that's being asked of him."

The aforementioned information was given on 25th April, a day before the much important clash between CSK and Gujarat Titans at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. There was no specified date for Dhoni's return to the squad; however, according to the statements given by the coach, it appears that the team is cautious with the condition of the former skipper.

MS Dhoni has been replaced in the wicketkeeping role by Sanju Samson. Samson has been very impressive throughout and one such impressive knock was when he scored an outstanding unbeaten 101 off 54 balls against Mumbai Indians to guide his team to a memorable victory.

CSK are currently 5th on the points table, having registered three wins and four losses in their seven games. They have accumulated 6 points with a net run rate of 0.118. With the tourney entering a critical phase, they will be hoping to carry their momentum forward and qualify for the playoffs.

Although there is no concrete update for Dhoni's return, it is clear that for the time being, CSK have found the perfect equilibrium between trying to win while taking all possible precautions with their experienced keeper.