Why is MS Dhoni not in CSK dugout during IPL 2026 matches? Michael Hussey reveals 'deliberate' decision behind absence

“Obviously, the cameras would be on him a lot. The crowd would be cheering for him and things like that. And he really wanted the team to just be able to go about their job, do our thing.”

Hussey added that whether the decision was right or wrong was not for him to judge, but acknowledged that Dhoni had been watching closely from home.

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Despite not taking his place in the dugout during games, Dhoni has hardly been invisible. He has been a regular presence during training sessions and practice games since the pre-season in March, and his interactions with players and his dressing room contributions have remained a valued part of the CSK setup throughout the campaign.

The problem has been a persistent calf complaint that has prevented him from taking the field. Head coach Stephen Fleming recently confirmed that the injury had worsened when Dhoni tweaked his calf again during a warm-up session, pushing back his expected return date well beyond the initial two-week timeline.

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However, Hussey offered the most encouraging update to date on when fans might finally see Dhoni back in whites. The main sticking point has been building sufficient running speed, with Hussey noting that Dhoni's batting and wicketkeeping abilities are not in question at all.

“Hopefully, he’ll be back as soon as possible. I don’t know if it’s tomorrow or maybe the next match after that, but he’s progressing really well,” Hussey noted. “I know he’s been upping his running speeds, and that was probably the sticking point. I think we’re very confident from a skill perspective with his batting and his wicketkeeping.”

The Cricket News Opinion: The real Dhoni has always been this

There is something deeply characteristic about this story. Any other player of Dhoni's fame and status would probably want to be at the ground, soaking in the cheers. Dhoni chose to stay home so the spotlight would fall on the team instead.

Whether or not he returns this season, that decision alone is a reminder of why Chennai fell in love with him in the first place. He never made it about himself. He still isn't.

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