CSK are set to face Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 5, but the former captain has stayed back at the team’s base to focus on recovery. While he is currently not match-fit, franchise officials have not ruled out his return later in the season, with five league matches still remaining.
“He should be available at some stage,” a senior team official told Cricbuzz.
Following the Delhi fixture, CSK will host Lucknow Super Giants on May 10 before travelling to Lucknow for the return match on May 15. They will then return home to face Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 18, before concluding their league campaign against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on May 21.
Dhoni is yet to feature in the ongoing season, with his last IPL appearance coming against Gujarat Titans on May 25, 2025. The veteran wicketkeeper remains sidelined due to the injury, though CSK have not completely ruled out a comeback later in the tournament.
CSK currently sit sixth on the points table with four wins from nine matches. Despite an inconsistent campaign, they remain in playoff contention, needing strong results in their remaining fixtures to stay in the race.
The five-time champions started the season with three straight defeats but bounced back with wins over Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. Their campaign has since seen mixed results, including losses to Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Titans, but they have also secured key victories over Mumbai Indians.
One of the most decorated players in IPL history, MS Dhoni has scored 5,439 runs in 278 matches at an average of 38.30 and a strike rate of 137.45, including 24 half-centuries, and has led CSK to five IPL titles.
