Dhoni’s Absence Raises Fresh Questions

How much is really known about Mahendra Singh Dhoni beyond his long-established public image as one of Indian cricket’s most recognisable figures? The former India captain continues to attract significant attention both on and off the field, and his absence from the ongoing Indian Premier League season has once again placed him at the centre of discussion.

Dhoni’s personal life frequently draws interest from supporters, including his wife Sakshi Dhoni. During the semi-final of the recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Sakshi was shown reacting enthusiastically to what she appeared to believe was a catch from a “bump ball”, a moment that was widely circulated online.

In March, Sakshi posted an Instagram story with the caption stating that she would return to Ranchi after 75 days. The post quickly led many supporters to conclude that Dhoni would be available throughout the full IPL season, with his family expected to remain nearby during that period.

However, Dhoni and his family did not subsequently return to Ranchi. More notably, although more than half of the IPL season has now passed, Dhoni has still not made an on-field appearance. A calf muscle injury has kept him away from competitive action.

Before the tournament began, it was announced that Dhoni would miss at least the opening two weeks due to injury. The competition, which began on 28 March, has now progressed through April and into May without any confirmed date for his return.

Mike Hussey, batting coach of Chennai Super Kings, recently provided the latest update. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Hussey explained that Dhoni’s main issue now relates to running between the wickets.

According to Hussey, Dhoni is capable of batting and wicketkeeping, but the concern remains whether he can repeatedly manage quick singles and doubles late in an innings. He stated that Dhoni is attempting to improve his running speed and will only make himself available once he regains complete confidence in his leg.

Hussey also addressed why Dhoni has not been seen during Chennai’s matches despite reportedly doing some training. He said Dhoni prefers not to become a distraction, as his presence in the stadium would inevitably attract cameras and spectator attention, potentially shifting focus away from the team.

Recently, Dhoni reportedly completed an extended net session, where he spent considerable time batting and was described as looking comfortable during practice. During the same session, he was also seen examining Hardik Pandya’s bat and chatting with Kieron Pollard.

Every IPL season tends to raise familiar questions about Dhoni’s future. In previous years, the discussion centred on whether he would return for another edition. This season, however, the question has shifted: whether he will be able to feature at all.

Dhoni remains one of Chennai’s most valuable assets, and the franchise appears unwilling to rush his recovery or expose him to unnecessary risk before he is fully fit.