CSK coach reveals MS Dhoni’s calf injury worsened after warm-up match

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming said the return of MS Dhoni, who suffered a calf strain, has been delayed after his injury became more serious in the warm-up matches ahead of IPL 2026.Fleming gives latest update after CSK’s eight-wicket loss to Gujarat Titans in MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.Dhoni has been part of the team since March and has participated in training and warm-up matches, but he has not featured in CSK’s eight matches so far. He also did not appear on the pitch on match day.Fleming said injuries remain a concern as another setback could see Dhoni miss the entire season.“This Mavericks are a tough team,” CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said after Sunday’s eight-wicket loss to the Gujarat Titans. “If he takes off again and tears his calf, he’s gone [for the whole season]. So we pushed it early. In one of the warm-up games, he adjusted it again, which is my understanding. He’s been trying to make some headway ever since. But there have been setbacks,” Fleming told a news conference.The 44-year-old has played IPL matches with injuries in the past, but this time his recovery time has taken longer than CSK expected.Four days ago, CSK had also shared a video on social media in which captain Ruturaj Gaikwad explained what happened before the season.“You know, we were playing a practice game. That’s when he broke his calf and then he couldn’t run as comfortably as he wanted to,” he said.“I think after that, he saw some of the youngsters taking part in practice matches and simulated matches and he had enough confidence in them that, you know, they were ready and they were capable of playing in the IPL.”“After that, he just needs time to recover. Slowly, slowly, he’s getting there. Never know, maybe the next game, maybe after that, but definitely one day for sure.”After eight games, CSK is currently in sixth place in the IPL 2026 standings with a record of 3 wins and 5 losses.They have six league games left this season and their next match will be at home against Mumbai Indians on May 2.