Why MS Dhoni not playing in MI vs CSK?

The Mumbai Indians (MI) lock horns with arch-rivals Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Match 33 of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). Both sides are languishing in the bottom half of the standings and desperately need a win to get their respective seasons back on track.

MI come into the game on the back of a victory over the Gujarat Titans by 99 runs to claim their first win after a spell of four successive defeats. CSK, on the other hand, suffered a loss to the Sunrisers Hyderabad after winning two games on the trot at Chepauk.

MI vs CSK: Toss Update

MI captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and put CSK into bat. Ruturaj Gaikwad wished to bowl first but will now aim to post a total capable of defending in the second innings. The CSK captain also acknowledged the massive support his side receives, thanks to the presence of MS Dhoni, who is unfortunately not featuring in the game. 

MS Dhoni once again misses out; Kartik Sharma comes in for Matthew Short 

The game against MI is the seventh game in a row which will not feature MS Dhoni. The legendary wicketkeeper had multiple training and net sessions ahead of the game, but feels like he is not 100 per cent to take the field. CSK did make one change in the lineup, recalling Kartik Sharma in the playing XI in place of Australia’s Matthew Short. 

MI vs CSK: What did the captains say?

Hardik Pandya, MI captain

“We are going to bowl first. I think a lot of boxes were ticked. The intensity was there. I think we needed that kind of a game where everyone comes in and chips in. Yeah, we had a perfect game. Yes, I think that was a conscious effort - that no matter what happens, intensity is in your control. I just wanted to make sure that we enjoy ourselves. I think things were becoming quite serious. Cricket is played best when you are enjoying the sport. A lot of things happen, right! So yeah, we just wanted to have fun. Things went our way and it was a good game. This pitch looks green, but it did against the KKR game as well, and it played pretty well. It’s going to be a good track. Just want to see how much we have on the board and chase it. Same team.”

Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK captain

“We would have bowled first as well, but it was a 50-50 call. It looks a good wicket and coming here at Wankhede Stadium, you have to bat well irrespective of whether you’re batting first or bowling first. So it is just about putting up a great show even if you’re batting first. We are doing really well. It’s just that we are not able to cash in on a couple of moments. But I think we pulled it back really well during our bowling in the last game. Even batting, we had started off really well. But as I said, it’s just a couple of moments where we have to make sure we cash in and we get that win. But everyone is confident and ready to go. (Wherever you go, men in yellow, there’s a lot of noise?) Yes, obviously all thanks to the legend (Dhoni) who is not here unfortunately. But obviously it is because of him. Everywhere you go, we have a lot of support. So hopefully we’ll make them happy tonight. We’ve got a couple of changes.”

MI vs CSK: Playing XI

Mumbai Indians:

Quinton de Kock(w), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya(c), Tilak Varma, Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, Jasprit Bumrah, Krish Bhagat, AM Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar

Chennai Super Kings

Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Sarfaraz Khan, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary