IPL 2026: MS Dhoni will resume wicketkeeping duties for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) once he returns from injury and is unlikely to feature solely as an Impact Player, batting coach Michael Hussey said on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter missed his seventh consecutive match in the Indian Premier League 2026 during CSK’s clash against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium as he continues to recover from a calf strain sustained before the start of the season.
Speculation had grown that Dhoni could return as a specialist batter under the Impact Player rule, especially with alternative wicketkeeping options available in the squad. However, Hussey indicated that the team expects him to return in a full role.
“Oh, I'm pretty sure he'll be behind the stumps,” Hussey told the broadcaster during a mid-match interview. “The biggest thing for him is that he's had the calf injury, it's just the running and late in innings, if he comes in, having to scamper those ones and twos, he just needs to make sure the calf is strong enough to withstand that.”
“But certainly from a skill perspective, we know what he can do as a keeper. We know he's batting, he's batting really well, so it's just hopefully getting that confidence in the calf,” Hussey addedd.
Dhoni has been actively training and was seen keeping wickets in the nets ahead of the match — his first such session this season — though he was not included in the playing XI.
Giving an update on MS Dhoni, Michael Hussey said he is improving but is not yet match-ready. "Yeah, he's progressing really well. I know he's pushing hard to get back as quickly as he possibly can. I know all the fans want to see MS Dhoni out there playing as well. So we're hopeful maybe in the next few games. We want him back as quickly as he possibly can as well," Hussey said.
“But obviously he needs to be close to 100 per cent ready to give his best. Because he's been batting well on the nets. He looks good in the nets. Just needs to run hard between the wickets too,” he added.
Chennai Super Kings are expected to assess Dhoni’s fitness ahead of their next fixture against Gujarat Titans in Chennai on Sunday, April 26, 2026.