Fans' wait to see their icon MS Dhoni on the field in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 isn't getting over anytime soon. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are preparing for an away clash against Delhi Capitals (DC) on May 5 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. As has been the case throughout the tournament, the primary focus remains on the availability of MS Dhoni, with fans eagerly wondering if the legendary keeper-batter will finally take the field.
Updates on Dhoni are way above my pay grade: CSK bowling coach
Providing some clarity on the situation, CSK bowling coach Eric Simmons shared the latest updates regarding the 44-year-old’s status. Simmons confirmed that Dhoni has not traveled with the squad to Delhi and that there is still no definitive timeline for his first appearance of the season.
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While his absence continues, the coaching staff remains optimistic about his progress.
“Updates on MS Dhoni are way above my pay grade. He's not with us (in Delhi), but steadily improving. He'll be ready when he's ready, and he knows when he's ready to play. But he hasn't travelled yet,” CSK bowling coach Eric Simmons said in the pre-match press conference.
Uncertainty around MS Dhoni's availability
Despite moving into the business end of IPL 2026, the status of Dhoni remains the tournament's biggest mystery. While CSK have successfully revived their title hopes with key victories in their recent outings, the 'Thala' shaped void in the lineup continues to loom large. Fans had hoped for a quick return after team management initially ruled him out for the season's opening weeks due to a calf injury, but that wait has now stretched past the halfway mark of the group stage. The lack of concrete information has turned Dhoni’s fitness into an unsolved riddle for the Yellow Army. Despite clearing a fitness test and traveling with the team earlier in the month, Dhoni has notably stayed away from the stadium on match days to avoid becoming a distraction for the squad.
Adding to the team's selection headaches is the forced departure of Ramakrishna Ghosh. The young pacer, who made a promising debut against MI by taking the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a foot fracture. With the playoff race tightening and the squad already thinned by injuries to players like Khaleel Ahmed and Ayush Mhatre, all eyes are now on who the management will trust to fill the void for tomorrow's high-stakes game.