When will MS Dhoni return to IPL 2026 action? CSK captain offers update in Bengaluru

IPL 2026, RCB vs CSK: Fans eagerly waiting for the return of MS Dhoni in IPL 2026 received a fresh update from Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of their clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Bengaluru.

In Short

• CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad hopeful of Dhoni's early return
• Jamie Overton returned to CSK's playing XI for RCB clash
• CSK won the toss and opted to bowl on a fresh Bengaluru surface

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad offered clarity on the availability of MS Dhoni ahead of their IPL 2026 fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Dhoni, who is recovering from a calf strain, was ruled out for the first two weeks of the tournament and missed the much-anticipated contest involving Virat Kohli.

After winning the toss and opting to bowl on a fresh surface, Gaikwad said, "He's getting back on track slowly. We all hope he returns soon. He's eager to play, but it takes time."

RCB vs CSK, IPL 2026: UPDATES | SCORECARD

CSK had earlier confirmed Dhoni's injury status in a statement, saying, "MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala."

Head coach Stephen Fleming had earlier made it clear that Dhoni's absence from the field does not lessen his influence within the squad.

After losing two successive tosses and two successive matches, Gaikwad finally had the coin land in his favour in Bengaluru. CSK opted to bowl first as they continue to search for their first points of the season.

The side was also without Dewald Brevis, who is working his way back from a side injury.

CSK made one change to their playing XI as England all-rounder Jamie Overton returned, increasing the overseas count to three after the team had fielded only two overseas players in their previous outing against the Punjab Kings.

There was still no place for West Indies left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Akeal Hosein. Local left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Prashant Veer retained his spot in the XI despite not bowling in the previous match.

However, there was no place for Kartik Sharma in the bowling first XI. He was named on the Impact Substitutes bench alongside Australia all-rounder Matt Short, with one of the two likely to be used when CSK bat.

As for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, they stuck with the same combination that won their opening game at this venue. Led by Rajat Patidar, the side continues to rely on a settled XI, with wrist-spinner Suyash Sharma available as an impact sub option when they bowl later in the evening.

For now, CSK will have to manage without Dhoni in the early phase of IPL 2026, with the franchise indicating that the veteran wicketkeeper-batter is expected to return only after completing his rehabilitation period.

RCB vs CSK: Playing XIs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (capt), Jitesh Sharma (wk), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy

Impact subs bench: Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Salam Dar, Kanishk Chouhan, Venkatesh Iyer

Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Matt Henry, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed

Impact Subs bench: Matt Short, Akeal Hosein, Kartik Sharma, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Gurjapneet Singh

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