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Chennai Super Kings the biggest question of IPL 2026 great captain in MS Dhoni Revolving around the return of. The franchise has managed only three wins in its first eight matches, leaving fans waiting for clarity on whether Dhoni will play again this season.

Dhoni has been out of action since the start of IPL 2026 with a calf injury, and despite many expectations surrounding his return, the experienced wicketkeeper-batsman has been unavailable. He was recently tipped to make a comeback in Chennai’s clash against Mumbai Indians, but that did not happen, leaving supporters disappointed again.

Ravichandran Ashwin said on when MS Dhoni can play for CSK

Talking on this hot topic, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has now shared his views on the matter, suggesting that Dhoni can only make a comeback when CSK is officially out of the playoff race. According to Ashwin, the franchise will not take any unnecessary risks as long as they have a mathematical chance of reaching the top four.

Ashwin made it clear that the CSK management would prefer to be cautious about Dhoni’s fitness rather than fielding him early at this crucial stage.

Ashwin, who was part of the Chennai Super Kings setup last season, believes Dhoni’s presence will only be considered if the team is no longer fighting for a playoff spot. He said that if CSK is eliminated from the tournament, Dhoni can return, but as long as they are alive in the competition, the team will try to avoid such a big risk. Ashwin also pointed out that despite the tough road, Chennai still have a realistic chance of reaching the playoffs.

“If CSK is out of the tournament, MS Dhoni can play. CSK is still in the tournament, so why would they take the risk now? I still think CSK have a chance to qualify for the playoffs. But yes, it is tough. The way CSK have played in the last five matches, it has given them a bit of confidence. CSK’s bowling is going well, if their batting also goes, they can get three wins in a row,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Recent improvement in CSK gives hope

Although Chennai have struggled for consistency this season, Ashwin believes their performances have shown signs of improvement in the last few matches. Their bowling unit, in particular, is beginning to deliver strong performances and is keeping them competitive in tight matches.

Ashwin mentioned that CSK’s bowling attack is working well, and if the batting unit finally clicks together, the five-time champions can still go on a winning streak and revive their campaign. According to him, winning a few consecutive matches can completely change the playoff picture for the franchise. While it is a challenging task, the experienced core of the team gives them hope.

At present, all eyes are on Dhoni’s recovery and CSK’s results in the upcoming matches. It will be interesting to see whether the iconic captain returns this season or not, it will entirely depend on how Chennai performs in the next few matches.