Chennai Super Kings could be boosted by MS Dhoni’s return as soon as the IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 5. A video uploaded by CSK’s official handle shows the legendary wicketkeeper-batter heading to a practice session with his kit, sparking massive buzz among fans.
MS Dhoni was nursing a calf injury forcing him to miss Chennai Super Kings’ opening game of IPL 2026
With Super Kings’ squad ravaged by injuries, Dhoni was also added to the list as he was nursing a calf strain, forcing him to miss the game against the Rajasthan Royals at the Baraspara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The five-time champions lost the match comprehensively in what was a bleak start to their season. The keeper-batter had notably missed his first IPL game since IPL 2019. Nevertheless, CSK’s next match is against the Punjab Kings on Friday in Chennai.
Kodiyil Oruvan! 🦁💛#WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/SuztJYGNzr
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 1, 2026
Here’s how the fans have reacted to Dhoni’s potential comeback
Finally my man arrived 💛🔥🔥
— ChanduTalks (@GChandr55295715) April 1, 2026
Ms Dhoni ne Practice karna Start kar diya hain , Abhi ye aaj ki tasvir hain.
CSK fans ke liye kafi sukhad bhari news hain yen . ❤️#ipl #lsgvsdc #msdhoni pic.twitter.com/7Ix7G4z0VH— SumitTheAi (@SumitTheAi) April 1, 2026
Fear in rcb camp. pic.twitter.com/7jveMiJdWD
— KV7 (@Kvs0707) April 1, 2026
Fans after see this pic.twitter.com/MZ5EBqIONz
— Kajal Bharti (@kajalbharti21) April 1, 2026
My mann is back 😭 pic.twitter.com/8v81jdjDNz
— Blankkkk (@blank_07x) April 1, 2026
Why MS Dhoni will be a big boost ahead of mega clash against RCB?
While Dhoni’s batting has struggled, the impact he brings as a tactician on the field remains second to none. With the defending champions and a turbo-charged Royal Challengers side in front, the 44-year-old’s presence will arguably be important. With reports floating that Dhoni is likely to miss at least a week of the tournament and could take as long as the end of April to return, it’s highly unlikely he will play against the Royal Challengers. But should Dhoni return, it will be interesting to see him and Virat Kohli going against one another.
Despite the Super Kings losing twice to RCB in IPL 2025, the Yellow Army hold a superior, winning 21 out of the 35 games played between the two sides. But RCB will start as favourites based on their current form. Rajat Patidar and co. razed the target of 202 in the IPL 2026 opener against the SunRisers Hyderabad, thanks to half-centuries from Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal.
