Dhoni injury update: Stephen Fleming gives big update on MS Dhoni's fitness ahead of CSK vs DC IPL 2026 clash

Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has come up with an injury update on MS Dhoni, who has already missed the first three matches of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

Stephen Fleming on MS Dhoni's recovery

Stephen Fleming confirmed that Dhoni is currently undergoing a rigorous recovery process following a calf strain. While Fleming also stated that the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman is "working hard to get back" on the field, he refrained from providing a specific date for his return to the lineup.

"Dhoni is working hard to get back," Fleming said at the pre-match press conference ahead of CSK versus Delhi Capitals match on April 11 at MA Chidambaram stadium.

Currently anchored at the bottom of the standings without a single win, CSK are having a horrendous campaign at the IPL 2026. The Yellow Army has been severely hampered by the absence of key match-winners, most notably Dhoni and the explosive Dewald Brevis.

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However, ahead of their high-stakes home encounter against DC, the franchise will be finally boosted by Brevis' presence in playing XI. Head coach Stephen Fleming has indicated that Brevis is on the verge of returning to the starting lineup.

At a recent promotional event in Chennai, Brevis made a notable public appearance alongside captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and key batting mainstays such as Shivam Dube and the young Aayush Mhatre. While replying to a fan's question, he said, "See you guys on the 11th… every match, everywhere we play."

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CSK's horror show in IPL 2026 continues

CSK's early-season struggles have been compounded by a string of decisive defeats, beginning with a tough outing in Guwahati. In that encounter, Rajasthan Royals dominated the proceedings, handing the Men in Yellow a comprehensive eight-wicket loss. This set a difficult tone for the five-time champions as they struggled to find their rhythm away from home.

The situation did not improve upon their return to Chepauk, where they suffered a narrow but significant five-wicket defeat at the hands of the Punjab Kings. The slump reached a critical point in their most recent fixture against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, in a high-scoring affair, CSK fell short by 43 runs, marking a third consecutive loss that has left the franchise searching for answers across both their bowling and batting departments.