MS Dhoni likely to return on-field vs Mumbai in Wankhede:Thala suffered calf injury during training, final call on participation soon – Report

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could soon receive a major boost as former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni edges closer to making his return in the IPL 2026 season. The 44-year-old veteran, who has been recovering from a calf strain suffered during the pre-season camp, is reportedly regaining full fitness and is likely to feature in the upcoming clash against the Mumbai Indians on 23 April at the Wankhede Stadium. ‘Thala’ has been away from match action but has stayed closely involved with the team. He has been present during CSK’s home games, watching from the team hotel and has also been regularly attending practice sessions. While there is no confirmation yet about his participation in the next away match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, signs of his recovery have been encouraging for both the team and fans. CSK’s campaign this season has been mixed so far. Led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, the team currently stands eighth on the points table, having won two out of five matches. After suffering three consecutive defeats, CSK bounced back strongly with back-to-back home wins against Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders, regaining some momentum. Thala shows positive signs in practice ahead of clash vs Mumbai As per the reports of the Indian Express, during practice sessions, Dhoni has shown no discomfort while batting. He has been facing throwdowns comfortably and striking the ball cleanly, which indicates that his recovery is on track. However, he has not yet faced frontline bowlers, suggesting that the team is taking a cautious approach before bringing him back into competitive action. On the eve of the match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Dhoni spent time training with batting coach Mike Hussey and also worked closely with left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad. His involvement has not just been physical but also tactical, as he continues to guide players during training. CSK’s bowling coach Sridharan Sriram highlighted Dhoni’s role in helping teammates improve. “MS (Dhoni) had a long chat with him in one of the practise sessions, getting his leg break to go. So I think it was very helpful for him and the results were there to show,” he said. Selection dilemma for CSK management With Dhoni nearing full fitness, CSK management now faces an important selection decision. The team currently lacks depth in batting, especially in the lower order, where most frontline bowlers come in from No. 8 onwards. Dhoni’s inclusion could provide much-needed experience and finishing ability. One possible option is to replace Sarfaraz Khan in the playing XI. Although Sarfaraz has been one of CSK’s better performers this season, he struggled in the last match against KKR, scoring 23 runs off 18 balls at a slower pace. Another safer option for CSK could be to use Dhoni as an Impact Player. This would allow the team to include him primarily for batting and later substitute him with a bowler if required, ensuring balance in the side.