MS Dhoni is likely to be back for the big MI vs CSK match at Wankhede. He trained fully on Tuesday, kept wickets for about 30 minutes, and also batted for around half an hour without showing discomfort. That is a strong sign that he is close to playing again after his calf strain.
His return would give CSK more depth in batting and experience in pressure moments. CSK are already struggling this season with injuries and poor results, so his presence alone would lift the team.
Ayush Mhatre was also ruled out of IPL 2026 because of a left hamstring injury. He got hurt while batting against SRH on April 18. He posted on Instagram saying he is disappointed but will come back stronger.
He also wished CSK well for the rest of the season and thanked fans for support. CSK confirmed he will need about 6 to 12 weeks of recovery time, so he will miss the rest of the tournament.
MS Dhoni Likely to Play CSK vs MI
MS Dhoni is very likely to play for CSK vs MI at Wankhede. He had his most serious training session after injury. He kept wickets for around 40 minutes and batted for nearly an hour. He also faced fast bowlers like Matt Henry and Jamie Overton and looked comfortable without pain.
This is a strong sign that he is match ready after his calf injury that kept him out of the first six matches. CSK are still careful, so the final decision will be taken near the toss. But all signs point toward him playing. CSK can also use him as an impact player if they want to reduce workload.
Will Jacks is also expected to be available for MI. He has joined the squad late after missing the first part of the season. He trained at Wankhede and even bowled and batted in practice sessions.
CSK also added Spencer Johnson to the squad as a replacement. He is likely to play and strengthen their pace attack.
CSK vs MI IPL 2026: What Could Decide the Match
MI vs CSK is coming as a clash between two struggling giants. Both teams have 5 IPL titles each, but this season they are far from their best.
Mumbai Indians sit around 7th place with 4 points. They finally broke a losing run with a big win over Gujarat Titans. That win came mainly because of Tilak Varma who scored a century and helped their batting recover. But they still have issues with consistency from senior players like Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Their bowling also depends heavily on Jasprit Bumrah.
Chennai Super Kings are also struggling and sit just behind MI on the table. They have had injury problems and batting issues. Young batter Ayush Mhatre was their top scorer before being ruled out, which is a big setback. Ruturaj Gaikwad has not been in good form. The middle order has not converted starts into big scores. However, Sanju Samson has been one of their better performers.
FAQs
Q. Will MS Dhoni play in MI vs CSK 2026?
A. MS Dhoni is likely to play after training fully, but final decision will be taken near the toss.
Q. Why did Ayush Mhatre miss IPL 2026?
A. Ayush Mhatre suffered a left hamstring injury during the SRH match and has been ruled out for the season.
Q. How long will Mhatre be out?
A. Ayush Mhatre needs around 6 to 12 weeks to recover, so he will not return this IPL season.
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