Former English batter Michael Vaughan predicts that MS Dhoni might not be sidelined only due to a minor calf injury, but it is more a strategic manoeuvre from the CSK management, who want to use Sanju Samson's senses behind the wickets coming early in the season.
Before the start of the IPL 2026 season, the Chennai Super Kings have reported a massive blow to their camp in the form of a reported injury for franchise veteran Dhoni. Dhoni has been ruled out following a calf injury and will not be available for the first two weeks of the competition.
This would surely propel Chennai Super Kings to flex their bench strength, which includes the likes of Kartik Sharma, the INR 14 crore youngster who was picked at the back of promising form in the domestic competitions. They also have Urvil Patel, who might be used as a backup wicket-keeping option.
Michael Vaughan, the former English cricketer, opined that MS Dhoni's not playing at the start of the IPL season might actually be a strategic move from the Indian stalwart. He, alongside the CSK coach, might be aiming to test their bench strength.
"He is a big paddle Tennis player. I look at that thing as Sanju Samson; he has gone for CSK, and he has got the chance to keep and start the IPL without MS Dhoni.
"Had he been fit, maybe it would have happened at the right time. Sanju will get the gloves, and who knows what's going to happen in 2 weeks' time. It might be a strategic kind of maneuver," Vaughan noted.
Has MS Dhoni played his last game for #CSK❓ Watch @MichaelVaughan, @joybhattacharj & @gauravkapur discuss, on Cricbuzz Live#IPL2026 @GoogleIndia pic.twitter.com/pfuUbjBNlB
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 28, 2026"He is a shepherd in the dressing room," Vaughan on Dhoni's importance in the CSK side
The English player also pointed out that the Chennai Super Kings veteran is a classic blend of experience and is crucial to the team, even if he is limited to the dressing room. He also noted that the calf strain has opened new possible channels for the CSK management.
"He is strategically brilliant. Sometimes you don't need to stand behind the stumps to give those tactics in this era. The way they can send messages on the field, the timeouts—he might not be playing too much; you never know.
"He is a shepherd in the dressing room, and he can utilize his knowledge and his tactical awareness of the field from the dugout. With CSK winning, he will go on backing the team; he would have a huge impact on the sidelines; hence, maybe just a little calf strain is the right thing for CSK at this stage to have a look at Sanju," the England veteran claimed.
Michael Vaughan predicts Calf injury could end MS Dhoni's IPL career
This calf strain would surely give CSK a chance to have both Prasanth Veer and Kartik Sharma, the two youngsters, in the same playing XI, after they were bought for a whopping price of INR 14 crores.
The former England captain observed that this might be the time when Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni would want to see if the team can excel in the absence of the veteran, and might also finally bring Dhoni's IPL career to an end.
"They will also see two or three more younger players, and if they win two or three games without MS Dhoni, I think Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni will think it is working quite nicely," claimed the former English captain.
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