Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey has explained the real reason why MS Dhoni does not come to the ground to watch his team playing during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) while he continues to recover from his calf injury. 

According to Hussey, the 44-year-old does not want his team to have any distractions from his being at the venue and therefore does not want to take the limelight away from the players playing out there in the middle. A majority of the crowd attending CSK matches are there to witness the presence of Dhoni, and if he is not around, the entire focus remains on the team rather than any one individual. 

“He hasn't been coming. He's such a team-oriented guy. 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 things like that. And he really wanted the team to just be able to go about their job, do our thing,” Michael Hussey was quoted as saying on Cricbuzz.

Despite Dhoni’s absence during match days, the former India captain continues to remain an integral part of CSK’s dressing room, offering support and guidance to the players, as stated by Hussey. 

“Whether that's right or wrong, that's not my decision to sort of make. But that's the thinking with Dhoni not wanting to come to the matches. Obviously, he's been watching very closely back home. I personally love having him around the dressing room. He offers so much wisdom. He offers so much confidence to the rest of the guys,” he added.

Dhoni was poised to make his much-awaited CSK return last month, before it was revealed that he suffered yet another setback on his already injured calf during a practice match. 

The former captain, however, continues to travel with the rest of the squad. Dhoni was seen training with the rest of the CSK team at the MA Chidambaram Stadium ahead of their game against the Mumbai Indians on Saturday, May 2. However, it is still not certain whether he would compete against fellow five-time champions.