IPL 2026: CSK's bowling coach Eric Simons speaks about MS Dhoni's appearance ahead of MI's clash

Chennai Super Kings bowling coach Eric Simons. Pic/IPL

Chennai Super Kings's (CSK) veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni's prospects of playing against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede tonight depend entirely on whether the player himself is completely happy about his recovery. CSK's bowling coach Eric Simons speaks about MS Dhoni's inclusion ahead of MI's clash

"MS will know tomorrow [Thursday], but that decision will be made once he, in particular, and the medical staff are completely happy that he's ready to go. So, I'm not making any sort of announcements around that tonight," says the team's bowling coach Eric Simons at the match-eve press conference on Wednesday.

Dhoni, 44, missed the first six IPL games this season due to a calf strain. However, just like on Tuesday, the CSK star was fully involved in his team's practice session on the eve of the game.

After the initial warm-up and running drills, Dhoni batted for nearly an hour in two different nets. He first faced pacers for half-an-hour and then took throwdowns from batting coach Michael Hussey and other specialists. He also enjoyed playing his trademark helicopter shot a few times, the ball landing in the stands each time.

Speaking about the match at hand, Simons, a former Team India bowling coach said: "There's great history and rivalry between the two franchises [MI and CSK]. They've been the most successful and that creates interest. The personalities within the teams also play a big role in what interests the public. It's always special to come here and play against Mumbai."

36.80
CSK 'keeper MS Dhoni's batting average against MI - the highest by any player in matches involving both sides (minimum 10 games)