As the Chennai Super Kings aim to win the remainder of the two games to make their way into the playoffs, former CSK spinner Ravichandran Ashwin hinted towards MS Dhoni's return for the Super Kings for the first time this season.
The Chennai Super Kings have managed to clinch six wins in the season after having played 12 matches. With the last defeat, they will have to win their two remaining matches to advance into the playoffs.
However, what has been the biggest disappointment for the Chennai Super Kings fans is their veteran star MS Dhoni not featuring in a single game this season. Dhoni's retirement is nearing, and the fans want to witness every glimpse of him during his twilight years.
Ravichandran Ashwin offers reassurance on CSK veteran MS Dhoni's availability
MS Dhoni was ruled out of the first half of the IPL with a calf injury, which he sustained during the preseason in the CSK training camp. Despite having managed the injury and travel arrangements being made, Dhoni stayed back in Chennai and did not travel to Lucknow instead.
Ravichandran Ashwin has hinted that MS Dhoni might finally be all set to make a return for the Chennai Super Kings ahead of their must-win encounter against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
"As far as I have heard, he has been ready to take the field for the last two to three games," Ashwin said.
"Let's see. I have a feeling that against SunRisers Hyderabad, there is a good chance of him playing. Let's wait and see how it goes," said Ashwin, the CSK legend.
Ashwin hails MS Dhoni as a seasoned pace hitter
In MSD's absence, the Chennai Super Kings have truly struggled in their lower-order finishes. Though the veteran is 44 years old, he could easily be said to be one of the staunch strikers of white-ball.
"Even now, if we talk about a quality pace hitter, I think it's him," Ashwin said, underscoring Dhoni’s enduring value to the middle order.
During this advancement, the Chennai Super Kings have now slipped to the sixth position in the points table and have fallen behind the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2026 points table. They will now have to work on their net run rate alongside winning the two upcoming matches.
Ravichandran Ashwin defended CSK management amid injury woes
Addressing the prolonged rehabilitation of their players, Ravichandran Ashwin came to the defence of the CSK management. He also dismissed the claims that Ruturaj Gaikwad and Stephen Fleming could have managed any of the situations differently and instead pointed to modern sports science.
"I think the more you cut down on training, the higher the chances of getting injured. Some, in a bid to avoid injuries, look at hopping from match to match—that's wrong. But this is another department; it's physiotherapy and sports science. I don't think the coach and the captain can be blamed. They can't do anything," Ashwin explained.
Ashwin also praised the extraordinary record of the Chennai Super Kings, as they, after a bleak start to the tournament, bounced back under Gaikwad's true leadership.
"I personally think they have done an exceedingly good job in continuing and keeping the team alive in this tournament. Not an easy one," he said.
