Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni will not play in today’s IPL 2026 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS). The game is being held at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Reason for Absence
MS Dhoni is currently recovering from a calf strain. He suffered the injury during a training session before the start of the season. According to official team reports, the 44-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is undergoing rehabilitation. He already missed the team’s opening match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30.
The team management stated that Dhoni is likely to miss the first two weeks of the tournament. This means he may also sit out the upcoming matches against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals to ensure a full recovery.
Impact on the Team
In Dhoni’s absence, Sanju Samson is handling the wicketkeeping duties for Chennai. Samson joined the team recently through a trade. Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to lead the side as captain. The team is looking for its first win of the season after losing their opening game by eight wickets.
Match Details
- Match: Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings (Match 7)
- Venue: M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Date: April 3, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM IST
Punjab Kings won the toss for this match and chose to bowl first. Both teams have a very close head-to-head record. Out of 33 matches played between them, the competition remains tight as both sides aim to move up the points table early in the season.
