MS Dhoni Likely to Miss Fifth IPL Game for Chennai Super Kings Amid Injury Concerns

MS Dhoni has missed the first four games for CSK and might miss the fifth one on too, on Tuesday, as he continues to recover from a calf strain sustained during a practice session at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.

On March 28, CSK stated that Dhoni was initially expected to miss the first two weeks of the tournament. However, more recent reports suggest his recovery might take longer, potentially keeping him out of the game until the end of April.

Although Dhoni has been training with his team-mates, he has only been facing thrown downs and is yet to hit full tilt. 

During a recent training session under lights st Chepauk, Dhoni had a brief batting session but continued to avoid full match simulation.

In the absence of Dhoni, Sanju Samson, who was traded from Rajasthan Royals ahead of the season, has kept wicket.

While Jamie Overton, the England all rounder, has offered glimpses of his big - hitting as a finisher.

Former cricketer Mitchell McClenaghan suggested that Dhoni could be used as an impact player once fit.

He noted that this role would allow Dhoni to contribute with the bat without the physical demands of full match participation, especially in run chases.

M.S. Dhoni at 44 years old, is set to become the oldest Indian to ever play in the IPL, surpassing Praveen Tambe. 

The last time Dhoni missed an IPL match was in 2019, when he was sidelined due to fever and a back spasm.

While the initial recovery window has passed, Dhoni is yet to regain full match fitness. His return will depend on how quickly he progresses in training over the coming days.