![\"IPL](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130682560,imgsize-51568,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/ms-dhoni.jpg\" "\\"MS")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: The absence of MS Dhoni from the Chennai Super Kings dugout in IPL 2026 has sparked widespread curiosity, but batting coach Michael Hussey has now revealed the selfless reason behind the veteran\u2019s decision to stay away.Speaking ahead of CSK\u2019s marquee clash against Mumbai Indians at Chepauk, Hussey explained that Dhoni consciously chose not to attend matches to avoid becoming a distraction for the team.<\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Vikram Solanki on GT strategy, pitch & team decisions<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cHe’s such a team-oriented guy, MS Dhoni. 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,\u201d Hussey said.\u201cObviously, 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.\u201dDespite being part of the squad since pre-season, Dhoni \u2014 who is recovering from a calf injury \u2014 has not featured in a single match so far. His absence on match days, Hussey stressed, was a deliberate attempt to keep the spotlight firmly on the playing group.\u201cWhether that’s right or wrong, that’s not my decision to sort of make, but that’s the thinking behind with Dhoni not wanting to come to the matches,\u201d he added.Focus on recovery, not attention<\/span>While Dhoni has stayed away from the dugout, he has remained actively involved behind the scenes, regularly attending training sessions and interacting with players.Hussey also provided a positive update on Dhoni\u2019s recovery, suggesting a return could be imminent \u2014 though no firm timeline has been set.\u201cHopefully, he’ll be back as soon as possible. I don’t know if it’s tomorrow or maybe the next match after that, but he’s progressing really well,\u201d he said.\u201cI know he’s been upping his running speeds, and that was probably the sticking point. I think we’re very confident from a skill perspective with his batting and his wicketkeeping.\u201d\u201cIt was just making sure that he could maintain good running power\u2026 so as soon as he’s got the confidence in his calf, then I’m sure he’ll give it the tick to be ready to go,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n