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Chennai Super Kings have reportedly booked a commercial flight ticket for MS Dhoni ahead of their IPL 2026 fixture against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on May 15, but his participation in the contest remains undecided.

According to a Cricbuzz report, Dhoni’s travel has been planned alongside the rest of the squad members for the away fixture at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, though the arrangement does not guarantee his inclusion in the playing XI.

The former CSK captain has not appeared in a single game this season after suffering a calf injury during a training session before the tournament began. Dhoni was initially expected to miss only the opening phase of the campaign, but nearly two months into the season, he is yet to feature in a match.

CSK have also avoided taking Dhoni on away tours this season, while the veteran wicketkeeper has stayed away from match-day squads even during home fixtures in Chennai.

There remains uncertainty inside the CSK camp regarding Dhoni’s physical condition despite repeated suggestions from the coaching staff that he has made progress in recovery. Head coach Stephen Fleming had earlier indicated that the wicketkeeper-batter encountered a setback during rehabilitation, which delayed his expected return to competitive cricket.

Batting coach Michael Hussey has also addressed the issue on multiple occasions, stating that Dhoni has been capable of batting for some time but continues to assess his overall movement and match fitness before making himself available for selection.

The franchise has maintained caution throughout the season while handling Dhoni’s recovery, particularly in relation to his workload and ability to manage running between the wickets during high-intensity situations.

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Another factor linked to Dhoni’s absence has been the team balance developed by CSK during the ongoing campaign. Reports and internal indications from the franchise suggest Dhoni has remained conscious of disrupting a settled combination in the latter half of the tournament.

CSK currently sit fifth on the IPL 2026 points table and remain involved in the playoff race heading into the final stretch of league matches. While anticipation around Dhoni’s possible return has continued to grow, the franchise has not issued any official confirmation regarding his availability against LSG.

The report added that the possibility of Dhoni changing his decision at the last moment still remains open, even with travel arrangements already in place for the Lucknow trip.