IPL 2026 | When will MS Dhoni return? Ruturaj Gaikwad provides a great update and says ‘for those asking…’

NEW DELHI: When will MS Dhoni return? When will you play your next game? When will you wear the Chennai Super Kings jersey again? The questions keep increasing every time CSK takes the field.

Dhoni was ruled out for two weeks just before the team’s season opener. However, there is still no clarity on his return as the veteran is yet to feature this season due to a calf strain.

All eyes were on CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad as he emerged for the toss at a packed MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with fans eagerly awaiting an update on Dhoni.

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel won the toss and opted to play.

“We would like to bowl first because the pitch looks good and whatever the result is, we would prefer to chase it. The IPL is a long tournament and the atmosphere in the dressing room is very relaxed. The discussion has been about what we can control, once we reach a certain point, there is no need to think too much. So that has been the mentality, control what is in our hands. The mood is good. If you look at the balance of our team, we have almost all the bases covered,” Axar said in the throw.

“Obviously, based on the options we had, I think we have picked a very good combination. Compared to last year, the team seems more balanced and hopefully today we performed well. Surface-wise, it has been a good batting ground this season. In the last few years in Chennai, they have played well. It is a red dirt pitch, so there should be a good bounce. Our aim will be to restrict them to as low a total as possible and then chase it. There are two changes. Nabi comes in for Vipraj. and Ashutosh Sharma replaces Nitish Rana,” he added.

When Ruturaj took the microphone, the CSK fans greeted him with a loud roar. Ravi Shastri quizzed him about the draw, the team combination and the big question around Dhoni.

“The field seems a little drier. We were actually 50-50 in the draw, but it’s good to back ourselves. The goal is to do our best today, get that first win and be on the points table. That’s what we’ve been trying for the last two games as well,” Ruturaj said.

“As I mentioned in the press conference, we have been improving in all departments. The batting has been going very well, it’s just a few key moments that we have missed, and those are the areas we need to take advantage of. But overall, everyone is in a good space and really eager to play. When you look at the balance of the team, we are definitely playing to our potential. It’s great to have Brevis back, he is fired up and ready. The middle order also looks solid. I also brought in Gurjapneet Singh, who has been playing well at the bowling lately, instead of Matt Edwards,” he said.