The highly anticipated game of the IPL 2026 season featuring the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Chennai Super Kings would be incomplete without the presence of MS Dhoni. The fans are eager to watch the veteran play and there has been speculation going on social media platforms regarding his availability for the game.
However, MS Dhoni will not be available for the match against RCB as he hasn’t recovered fully from his calf strain and is expected to miss the first two weeks of the IPL 2026 season.
CSK Feel the void as fans await Dhoni's return to restore balance
MS Dhoni had undergone a calf strain earlier due to which he missed out on the games against the Punjab Kings and the Rajasthan Royals. He has been ruled out for the first two weeks of the season, missing out on some key fixtures. The CSK Head Coach, Stephen Fleming had made it clear ahead of the clash against the Punjab Kings that “It is just a game without him. He is still heavily involved in the side, and his influence remains very strong.”
The legendary IPL captain still seems to be involved in much of the decision-making at the club as he has always been regarded as a tactical mastermind and you simply cannot keep him out of the game. He is expected to return to the playing squad for the Chennai Super Kings shortly.
The Chennai Super Kings seem to be missing the presence of MS Dhoni behind the stumps as they struggled in both the matches, Their spin attack doesn't seem to be lethal anymore as Noor Ahmad has been quite expensive and Rahul Chahar is yet to regain his wicket-taking form. The involvement of Dhoni and his instructions to the bowlers, have always helped the bowlers to draw positive results. The presence of MS Dhoni in the field does matter a lot to the side and if they are to find the winning formula this season, then a lot of the hopes of the Chennai fans will be pinned on the man himself, Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
