MS Dhoni steadily improving but absent from CSK's Delhi trip, says Simons
Synopsis
MS Dhoni's absence compounds CSK's playoff pressure. With the five-time champions sitting sixth and needing four wins from remaining games, the return of skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad to form offers a lifeline — but middle-order fragility and Dhoni's injury leave little margin for error.
Key Takeaways
MS Dhoni has not travelled with CSK to New Delhi for the Delhi Capitals match on Tuesday, May 6 , due to a calf injury.
CSK occupy sixth place on the points table with four wins from nine games .
The franchise requires at least four more victories from remaining fixtures to qualify for the playoffs.
Ruturaj Gaikwad has scored 74 and 67 in consecutive matches, rekindling his form.
Shivam Dube has 150 runs from eight innings at a strike rate of 140 ; Dewald Brevis has 64 runs from four knocks .
Dhoni's last IPL appearance was on May 25, 2025 , against Gujarat Titans .
MS Dhoni, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, is recuperating from a calf injury and will not travel with Chennai Super Kings to New Delhi for their IPL 2026 fixture against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday, May 6. Eric Simons, the franchise's bowling consultant, confirmed the development at a pre-match press conference on Monday.
"An update on MS Dhoni is way above my pay grade. He is not with us but steadily improving. He will be ready when he is ready and he knows when he is ready to play," Simons said, underscoring the franchise's cautious approach to the five-time champion's return. Dhoni has not played a single match in IPL 2026, with his last appearance dating back to May 25, 2025, when CSK faced Gujarat Titans.
CSK's playoff equation tightens
CSK currently occupy the sixth spot on the points table with four wins from nine games. The mathematics for the five-time champions is stark: they require at least four more victories from their remaining fixtures to secure a playoff berth. Every match from hereon carries playoff-deciding weight, making the Delhi encounter a critical juncture in their campaign.
Gaikwad's resurgence offers hope
On a brighter note for CSK, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has rediscovered form with consecutive unbeaten half-centuries — 74 and 67 — in the team's past two outings. Simons lauded the opener's batting acumen, describing him as a "surgeon in this world of chaos batting." The consultant noted that Gaikwad has historically accumulated runs in low-profile fashion, often going unnoticed despite substantial contributions. "He is the kind of guy that gets 50 runs in 22 balls and you haven't noticed him," Simons observed, emphasizing the quality of Gaikwad's stroke-play under pressure.
Middle-order inconsistency a concern
While Sanju Samson, Urvil Patel, and Kartik Sharma have stepped up with contributions, the franchise's middle order has shown patchiness. Shivam Dube has managed 150 runs from eight innings at a strike rate of 140, displaying glimpses of destructive power but lacking consistency. Dewald Brevis, returning after a side strain that cost him the opening matches, has accumulated only 64 runs across four knocks at an average of 16 and a strike rate of 121.
Simons downplayed immediate concern over the duo's form, framing it as a cyclical feature of the tournament. "In this tournament, we have seen top players struggle for a bit before playing a breakout innings," he said. He attributed their lean patch to the compressed nature of the IPL schedule, where quick turnarounds and tough batting conditions can obscure a player's true capability. Both Dube and Brevis possess strong domestic and international records, suggesting form correction is a matter of timing rather than fundamental concern.
The road ahead
CSK's playoff destiny hinges on converting their remaining matches into wins. The Delhi Capitals clash offers an immediate opportunity to narrow the gap and apply pressure on competitors above them on the table. Dhoni's return timeline remains fluid, dependent on his recovery trajectory.
Point of View
But it cannot mask the fact that Dube and Brevis — both supposed anchors — have underperformed. The franchise is betting on form correction in a tournament that rarely rewards patience. Without Dhoni and with inconsistent middle-order contributors, CSK's four-win target looks less like a pathway and more like a prayer.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has MS Dhoni not travelled with CSK to New Delhi?
MS Dhoni is recovering from a calf injury and has not been cleared to travel. Bowling consultant Eric Simons confirmed that Dhoni is steadily improving but will not join the squad for the Delhi Capitals match on Tuesday. His return timeline depends on his recovery progress.
What is CSK's current playoff situation?
CSK sit sixth on the IPL 2026 points table with four wins from nine games. They require at least four more victories from their remaining fixtures to secure a playoff spot, making every match critical.
When was MS Dhoni's last IPL appearance?
Dhoni's last IPL match was on May 25, 2025, against Gujarat Titans in the 2025 season. He has not featured in any game during the 2026 edition.
How has Ruturaj Gaikwad performed recently?
CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has rediscovered form with consecutive unbeaten half-centuries of 74 and 67 in the team's past two matches, offering hope in the franchise's playoff push.
Why are Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis underperforming?
Both players have struggled for consistency in IPL 2026. Dube has 150 runs from eight innings at a strike rate of 140, while Brevis has 64 runs from four knocks after missing early matches due to a side strain. Consultant Simons attributed the lean patch to the tournament's compressed schedule and tough batting conditions rather than fundamental concerns.
