‘MS Dhoni will only play when…’- CSK coach breaks silence ahead of crucial MI clash

There is inactive nary wide timeline astir MS Dhoni’s instrumentality arsenic Chennai Super Kings proceed to navigate IPL 2026 without their erstwhile captain. Dhoni had suffered a calf wounded conscionable earlier the commencement of the season, and portion the franchise initially indicated a two-week betterment period, his lack has present stretched into the 4th week with nary confirmed comeback date.There was a little surge of optimism connected Tuesday erstwhile Dhoni was seen grooming astatine the Wankhede Stadium. The seasoned wicketkeeper-batter spent sizeable clip batting successful the nets and besides went done wicketkeeping drills, suggesting helium could beryllium successful contention for CSK’s upcoming clash against the Mumbai Indians. However, those hopes were rapidly tempered.Addressing the media up of the match, CSK bowling manager Eric Simmons made it wide that determination would beryllium nary rushed determination connected Dhoni’s return.“MS volition lone play erstwhile helium feels helium is acceptable to spell and the aesculapian squad clears him, truthful I americium not going to marque immoderate announcement sitting here,” Simmons said.The uncertainty astir Dhoni’s availability comes astatine a clip erstwhile Chennai Super Kings are already dealing with aggregate wounded setbacks. Fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed has been ruled retired of the tourney with a close quadriceps injury, portion top-order batter Ayush Mhatre has besides been sidelined for the remainder of the play owed to a hamstring issue.

The franchise is yet to officially sanction replacements, though determination person been developments down the scenes. Reports bespeak that erstwhile Mumbai Indians pacer Akash Madhwal attended CSK’s trials successful Hyderabad, portion Rajvardhan Hangargekar is besides believed to person taken portion successful a proceedings league with the squad successful Mumbai.These disruptions person impacted CSK’s campaign. The five-time champions are presently placed eighth connected the points array with 2 wins from 4 matches. After losing their opening 3 fixtures, they managed to revive their play with back-to-back location victories, lone to gaffe again successful their astir caller crippled against Sunrisers Hyderabad.Their adjacent opponents, Mumbai Indians, caput into the contention with renewed confidence. They beryllium conscionable supra CSK successful seventh spot and are coming disconnected a ascendant 99-run triumph implicit Gujarat Titans, giving them momentum up of the clash.