MS Dhoni Sidelined with Muscle Strain Ahead of IPL 2026 Season Start

Chennai. Former Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been injured ahead of the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Due to a muscle strain, Dhoni is likely to remain off the field for the first two weeks of the tournament.

Chennai announced via social media that Dhoni is currently in rehab. If Dhoni remains off the field for 14 days, he will miss at least three important matches. Chennai's first match is against Rajasthan Royals on March 30, and the second match is against Punjab Kings on April 3.

Furthermore, Dhoni is unlikely to be available for the highly anticipated match against defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 5. He is expected to return to the field for the match against Delhi Capitals on April 11.

The 44-year-old Dhoni is the oldest player in IPL 2026. In the previous season, he took over the captaincy mid-way after Ruturaj Gaikwad was injured and led the team to victory in 3 out of 4 matches.

Dhoni holds the record for playing the most matches in the IPL with 278. He has scored 5,439 runs at an average of 38.30, and behind the stumps, he has taken 47 stumpings and 154 catches.

Dhoni, known as the only captain to win 100 matches in the IPL, has led Chennai to five titles. Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, underwent knee surgery in 2023.

This injury has worried fans, especially as speculation suggests the 2026 season could be Dhoni's last IPL.