Will MS Dhoni play tonight? CSK batting coach Hussey breaks silence on his availability ahead of GT vs CSK IPL 2026

The playoff race for the Chennai Super Kings has become increasingly difficult following their defeat to the Sunrisers Hyderabad. The five-time IPL champions have struggled throughout the IPL 2026 season and have failed to make a significant impact. Inconsistent performances in both batting and bowling have left CSK in a challenging position as the league stage nears its conclusion.

Ahead of Chennai’s final league-stage match against the Gujarat Titans, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey provided an update on MS Dhoni’s availability. Hussey confirmed that Dhoni will miss the crucial fixture due to a thumb injury. However, he added that the veteran wicketkeeper-batter could return if CSK manage to qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs.

According to reports, Dhoni has returned to Ranchi and did not travel with the squad for the must-win clash against GT. The former CSK captain has not played a single match this season after initially suffering a pre-season calf strain. Although he recovered from that setback, a fresh thumb injury kept him sidelined for the past few matches as well. Chennai currently sit sixth in the IPL points table and must not only defeat Gujarat Titans but also depend on other results to keep their playoff hopes alive. Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals, and Kolkata Knight Riders remain strong contenders for the remaining Top 4 spots.

Hussey's exact words — What he said about Dhoni's fitness & match readiness for GT clash

Speaking during the post-match press conference, Hussey confirmed that MS Dhoni is currently not with the squad but expressed optimism about his return should CSK secure a playoff berth.

"I can confirm he is not here with the team, but if we do happen to qualify, then he will definitely join back up with the team. He has got a bit of a sore thumb, so it is recovering nicely, but he would not be ready for this match. Hopefully, if we can manage to get through to the playoffs, then he will be alright," Hussey stated.

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Reflecting on CSK's previous encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad — where the Men in Orange chased down 181 runs, powered by a sensational half-century from Ishan Kishan — Hussey acknowledged the disappointment of failing to finish strongly on home soil, while urging the side to move forward quickly.

"Obviously, it has made it more difficult for us to get through to the top four. Individually, everyone will take a few little learnings from it, but we have to move on quite quickly. We were all very disappointed after the match," he said.

"We were a bit flat in the dressing room. But the coach spoke to us and said, 'Come on, we have got one more game, one more chance — we have got to make sure we move on from this very quickly.' It is all about our attitude moving forward," he added.

CSK playing 11 tonight: Will Dhoni feature or Will CSK take a risk?

Hussey confirmed that Dhoni has a sore thumb and will not be fit in time for this game. His absence is a big blow for Chennai, as they need a win tonight to keep their playoff hopes alive. Without Dhoni, the team will have to find a way to fill the gap — both as a finisher and as a leader on the field.

Sanju Samson is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties in Dhoni's absence. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad will need to step up, along with the likes of Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, and Urvil Patel, who will have to deliver big with the bat. The bowling attack, featuring Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, and Matt Henry, looks strong on paper. But the big question remains — can CSK win without their most important player?

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CSK Full Squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Matthew Short, Sarfaraz Khan, Aman Khan, Gurjapneet Singh, Akash Madhwal, Zakary Foulkes, MS Dhoni, Matt Henry, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Chahar, Kuldip Yadav, Macneil Noronha, Dian Forrester.

Dream11 & fantasy impact: Should you pick Dhoni as captain or skip him entirely for CSK vs GT?

With MS Dhoni officially ruled out of tonight's CSK vs GT clash, the answer is simple — do not pick him in your Dream11 or any fantasy XI for this match. Batting coach Michael Hussey has confirmed that Dhoni is not available for selection, which means he carries zero fantasy value tonight. Instead, focus on players who are confirmed starters and in good form. Ruturaj Gaikwad is a safe captaincy choice given his consistency at the top of the order, while Sanju Samson offers great value as the wicketkeeper-batter in Dhoni's absence.

In the middle order, Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube are solid picks for big hits, and Urvil Patel is worth considering if you want an aggressive option at the top. On the bowling side, Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, and Matt Henry are your best choices from the CSK camp. These are players who are likely to start and can make a real difference to your fantasy score tonight.

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In short, skip Dhoni entirely for this one. Build your team around confirmed, in-form players and do not take any unnecessary risks with your captain or vice-captain slots. Tonight is a must-win game for CSK, which means key players will be pushed to perform — and that is exactly where your fantasy points will come from.