Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes MS Dhoni is unlikely to make a comeback for Chennai Super Kings in their crucial IPL 2026 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Monday, insisting that the team’s playoff push must take priority over emotion and sentiment.
With CSK set to play their final home game of the season at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, fans are expected to turn up in huge numbers hoping to finally see Dhoni in action this season.
The five-time IPL-winning captain has not played a single match in IPL 2026 due to a calf injury, but anticipation around his possible return has only grown stronger ahead of the clash against SRH.
Dhoni had earlier indicated that his farewell game, whenever it happens, would ideally be at Chepauk, which has only fuelled speculation around a possible appearance on Monday night.
However, Gavaskar feels the former CSK captain himself would avoid returning in such a high-pressure fixture, especially with Chennai still firmly in the race for the playoffs.
CSK currently sit fifth on the IPL 2026 points table and remain in contention for a top-four finish after winning three of their last five matches.
The turnaround has revived their campaign after a poor start to the season, and Gavaskar believes Dhoni would not want to disturb a settled combination in what is effectively a must-win encounter.
“Looks tough. Because this is a crucial game for CSK to progress. A win is a must. He hasn’t even played a single game, and he wouldn’t want to play this match. Because if he can’t perform, CSK might struggle. He is a team man and a team player. I don’t think he will play,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.
The batting great admitted that even he would love to watch Dhoni return to the field but suggested the veteran wicketkeeper-batter may still not be fully fit.
“Even I am disappointed. No Indian would want to see him not play. I just feel that perhaps the injury that he sustained, he has yet to recover entirely,” Gavaskar added.
For CSK fans, the SRH fixture could potentially be the last opportunity to watch Dhoni at Chepauk, especially with no certainty over whether he will return for another IPL season next year.
Meanwhile, Gavaskar also weighed in on Punjab Kings, who suffered their sixth consecutive defeat after losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday. Despite the poor run, Gavaskar believes Punjab still have a realistic chance of sneaking into the playoffs because of inconsistent results from rival teams.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Punjab Kings make the playoffs because teams like Rajasthan Royals are doing their best not to qualify. They lost this game against Delhi from a winnable position and if Rajasthan keep losing from winning positions, then all Punjab need to do is win their next game. That would take them to 15 points, which might be enough,” he said.
Gavaskar further pointed out that the playoff race remains wide open with multiple teams still mathematically alive.
“Sunrisers are ahead of Punjab, and CSK can still reach 14 or even 16 points. But if CSK lose one match, then Punjab have a very real chance of qualifying,” he added.
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Source: India Today
