For years, MS Dhoni has been the heartbeat of Chennai Super Kings—the man who built the franchise into the most beloved in IPL history. So when fans noticed his empty seat in the CSK dugout during IPL 2026 matches, the questions came thick and fast. Why would Thala, of all people, stay away?
Now, batting coach Michael Hussey has finally cleared the air, and the reason reveals everything about the kind of leader Dhoni truly is.
Dhoni is currently recovering from a calf injury and could return to action very soon. But even though he's not playing, many expected him to be present on match days, offering guidance from the sidelines. Instead, he has chosen to stay away—traveling with the team on occasion but not boarding the bus to the stadium.
According to Hussey, this was a deliberate decision by Dhoni himself. The former India captain feared his presence would become a distraction, drawing attention away from the players on the field.
“He’s such a team-oriented guy,” Hussey explained. “He always wants what’s best for the team, and he was worried that if he came, there’d be a bit too much of a distraction. Obviously, the cameras would be on him a lot. The crowd would be cheering for him. And he really wanted the team to just be able to go about their job, do our thing.”
Hussey added that whether the decision was right or wrong wasn't for him to judge, but he acknowledged that Dhoni has been watching every game closely from home. And despite staying away from match-day dugouts, Dhoni remains a constant presence behind the scenes—attending training sessions and practice games since the pre-season in March, and continuing to offer invaluable input in the dressing room.
It's a move that speaks volumes about Dhoni's selflessness. With CSK sitting sixth on the table after winning just three of eight games, the team could certainly use his calm head. But for now, Dhoni is putting the team first—even when it means stepping away from the spotlight he helped create.
Fans can rest assured: once his calf is fully healed, the legend will be back where he belongs, leading CSK from the front.