IPL 2026: Just a few hours before the start of IPL, the fans of Chennai Super Kings have got a big shock. Chennai’s veteran player Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been ruled out of the initial matches due to injury. According to reports, Dhoni will not be able to play any match for two weeks.

Chennai Super Kings has confirmed that Dhoni has a calf strain and due to this he will be out of matches for two weeks. This news is no less than a shock for CSK fans. Whatever may be the outcome of the match, Dhoni’s fans want him to come on the field and entertain them. But now they will not see Dhoni in action in the matches played for at least two weeks.

Dhoni will not be able to play in these matches

Chennai has to play four matches in the next two weeks. That means Dhoni will not be available for the matches to be played against Rajasthan on 30 March, against Punjab on 3 April, against Bengaluru on 5 April and against Delhi on 11 April.

In the absence of Dhoni, the team may face many difficulties. Not only will the leadership of Mahi, who has been associated with the team since the beginning, be missed, the team will also have to look for an alternative for the finishing role.

The onus will be on Gaikwad and Sanju

Mahi’s cricketing career is definitely in the last phase but even now, whenever he comes on the field, he is capable of changing the course of close matches with the bat. Gaikwad, who was out after some matches of last season due to injury, is back. In such a situation, he can be seen captaining. There will definitely be pressure on Gaikwad in Dhoni’s absence. However, he may definitely get relief from the presence of Sanju Samson. Sanju Samson can be seen in the role of wicketkeeper in the initial matches.