Hussey: Dhoni will join CSK squad if it makes IPL playoffs

Chennai Super Kings isn’t laying down arms yet. Batting coach Michael Hussey’s reply when asked to give an update on M.S. Dhoni’s participation in the game and beyond indicated as much.

“I can confirm Dhoni is not here with the team, but if we do happen to qualify, then he’ll definitely join back up with the squad. He’s got a bit of a sore thumb. It’s recovering nicely, but he won’t be ready for this match. If we can manage to get through to the playoffs, then hopefully he’ll be alright,” Hussey said on Wednesday, on the eve of CSK’s do-or-die Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) fixture against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Hussey admitted the team’s frustration after losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

“It was disappointing, especially in front of our home fans. Obviously, it’s made it difficult for us to get through to the knockouts. Everyone will take lessons from it, but we’ve got to move on quickly. We were a bit flat in the dressing room. The coach [Stephen Fleming] spoke to us about having one more game and one more chance. It’s all about having the right attitude moving forward.”

GT opener Sai Sudharsan said that his team’s priority was to seal a win, and then only will it worry about the margin of victory and how it will help its Qualifier 1 chances.

“We are not in a position to think about winning by a very big margin. It’s about doing the right things consistently,” he said.

When asked to reflect on the win against CSK in the reverse fixture and the loss to Kolkata Knight Riders in GT’s last match, Sai Sudharsan explained: “I’m not looking at the previous games. We are not bringing in that residue or that past into this match. We are trying to be as fresh as possible”.

Published on May 20, 2026