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For the first time in IPL 2026, MS Dhoni will be present at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on a match day. Unfortunately, Dhoni isn't a part of CSK's playing Xi against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (R) and MS Dhoni during a training session.(PTI)For the 13th match in-a-row MS Dhoni sat out of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) playing XI on Monday in their final home game against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk. Having being ruled out of the first two weeks in IPL 2026 due to a calf injury, Dhoni's unavailability for CSK as the season moved forward.
Although several media reports stated that Dhoni was fit for the last two or three games, the former skipper chose not to tinker with the playing XI. In fact, Dhoni chose to stay at hotel on CSK's match-days and also didn't travel with the squad on majority of their away games.
However, for a change, Dhoni travelled to the Chidambaram stadium on Monday, to thank the home fans after the game. “He's still here, but he's not fit enough to play this game,” says CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, when asked for Dhoni's whereabouts by Ravi Shastri during the coin toss.
CSK vs SRH playing XIs
Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Heinrich Klaasen, Salil Arora, Smaran Ravichandran, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Pat Cummins(c), Shivang Kumar, Eshan Malinga, Sakib Hussain, Praful Hinge
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Spencer Johnson
Catch the live updates from IPL 2026 with the complete IPL 2026 Schedule and the IPL 2026 Points Table. Also, know who are currently leading the charts in IPL 2026 Orange Cap and IPL 2026 Purple Cap.
About the Author
Koushik Paul
Koushik lives and breathes sports. After transitioning from his own aspirations of becoming a professional athlete, he successfully channeled that lifelong passion into a prolific career, documenting the action both from the sidelines and the editorial desk. With over eight years of industry experience, Koushik joined LiveMint as a Deputy Chief Content Producer in 2024, following impactful stints at Outlook India, India.com, Sportskeeda, Women’s CricZone, and OrissaPOST. A 2017 Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from Maharaja Manindra Chandra College, Kolkata, Koushik has reported on high-profile events including the FIFA U17 World Cup 2017, Ranji Trophy, FIH Pro League, FIH World League finals, the Indian Premier League, and Lionel Messi’s historic visit to Kolkata in 2025. <br><br> While he possesses a versatile command over all sports, he finds his niche in cricket, specializing in breaking news, long-form interviews, global sporting updates, and high-energy live blogs. Koushik’s professional perspective was further sharpened through the 2020 AIPS Young Reporters Programme, where he gained invaluable insights from renowned international journalists, including Keir Radnedge and Riccardo Romani from the United Kingdom, and Martin Mazur from Argentina. Currently based between Kolkata and Delhi, Koushik remains at the forefront of the breaking developments that shape the public sporting discourse. When he isn't tracking scores or deconstructing plays, he can be found exploring new landscapes on his travels or channeling his creative energy into the kitchen. <br><br> If you have a compelling story to share or know an individual who deserves the spotlight, please reach out via email at <a href="koushik.paul@htdigital.in">koushik.paul@htdigital.in</a>.
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