IPL 2026: MS Dhoni will be back soon, CSK batting coach Hussey On the eve of Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on May 2, batting coach Michael Hussey once again offered a measured update on M.S. Dhoni’s recovery from a calf injury.
Dhoni, who has been sidelined for three weeks, has travelled with the squad to Hyderabad and Mumbai after clearing a fitness test, though he is yet to feature in a match.
“M.S. is going really well. Hopefully, he’ll be back as soon as possible. I’m not sure if that will be tomorrow or the match after, but he’s progressing well,” Hussey said.
READ | Dhoni’s return delayed after calf injury worsened, reveals Fleming
The primary concern, Hussey explained, has been Dhoni’s ability to sustain running intensity. “He’s been working on his running speeds, which was probably the main concern. From a skill perspective, we’re very confident in his batting and wicketkeeping. It was more about ensuring he can maintain good running power, especially towards the back end of an innings where quick singles and twos are crucial.”
Hussey added that the final call rests with Dhoni. “Once he feels confident in his calf, I’m sure he’ll give the signal that he’s ready to go. At the moment, we’re guided by him. We’re waiting. I think all of Chennai is waiting.”
Interestingly, Dhoni has stayed away from the venues during CSK’s match days. “He felt that if he attended, it might become a distraction… he didn’t want that to take attention away from the team,” Hussey said, while noting that the former captain remains actively involved in training and team discussions.
Published on May 01, 2026
#IPL #Dhoni #CSK #batting #coach #Hussey
On the eve of Chennai Super Kings’ IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium on May 2, batting coach Michael Hussey once again offered a measured update on M.S. Dhoni’s recovery from a calf injury.
Dhoni, who has been sidelined for three weeks, has travelled with the squad to Hyderabad and Mumbai after clearing a fitness test, though he is yet to feature in a match.
“M.S. is going really well. Hopefully, he’ll be back as soon as possible. I’m not sure if that will be tomorrow or the match after, but he’s progressing well,” Hussey said.
READ | Dhoni’s return delayed after calf injury worsened, reveals Fleming
The primary concern, Hussey explained, has been Dhoni’s ability to sustain running intensity. “He’s been working on his running speeds, which was probably the main concern. From a skill perspective, we’re very confident in his batting and wicketkeeping. It was more about ensuring he can maintain good running power, especially towards the back end of an innings where quick singles and twos are crucial.”
Hussey added that the final call rests with Dhoni. “Once he feels confident in his calf, I’m sure he’ll give the signal that he’s ready to go. At the moment, we’re guided by him. We’re waiting. I think all of Chennai is waiting.”
Interestingly, Dhoni has stayed away from the venues during CSK’s match days. “He felt that if he attended, it might become a distraction… he didn’t want that to take attention away from the team,” Hussey said, while noting that the former captain remains actively involved in training and team discussions.
Published on May 01, 2026
![Carrick hopeful of Cunha return as Manchester United hosts Liverpool in Champions League race Manchester United boss Michael Carrick is hopeful Matheus Cunha will be fit to return when his side hosts Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday in one of football’s fiercest rivalries, with both teams chasing Champions League qualification.United, third in the Premier League, needs two more points to secure a top-five finish and a return to Europe’s elite competition next season, while fourth-placed Liverpool is looking to strengthen its own Champions League position in a congested race.Carrick said Cunha had returned to light training after a recent setback.“We are in good shape really,” Carrick told reporters on Friday. “Matheus has done a little bit of work, so we are hopeful. With Luke [Shaw], we aren’t sure if he will be ready but we are hopeful. Matthijs [de Ligt] is still a little bit further, he won’t be involved in the game.“Other than that, we are in good shape.”The possible return of Cunha, who missed Monday’s 2-1 win over Brentford with a hip flexor injury, would be a timely boost for United in a fixture Carrick said retains its intensity regardless of league position.“It’s certainly always been one of my favourite games, without a doubt. It is a standout game,” he said.“Because of the history, the ups and downs this match-up has produced in the past, the entertainment and the emotion, all of those things make it a really special game.”United has climbed steadily since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim midway through the campaign, putting itself in position to finish above holder Liverpool and secure Champions League football with games to spare.“It shows the improvements of the group, we are getting stronger,” Carrick said. “We come into this game in such a good position off the back of good results and trying to achieve what we want.“But it is a one-off game. The league position is what it is but Sunday’s a whole different ball game.”Carrick has also restored academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo to the heart of the side, with the midfielder recently signing a new five-year deal after being marginalised earlier in the season under Amorim.ALSO READ: Jose Mourinho says no contact has been made with Real Madrid“He epitomises this football club,” Carrick said. “He is a young player who has come through the academy, is living and breathing the club, and has come through with real talent.“The natural thing for him was to sign a new contract so everyone is over the moon with it, including me because I think he deserves it.”Mainoo has started 12 of Carrick’s 13 league matches in charge, missing one game due to injury, underlining his renewed importance as United looks to finish strongly.Despite the league stakes, Carrick stressed the wider significance of a fixture that has shaped English football for decades.“When I think about this game, the first thing that comes to mind is that air of competition really, irrespective of league positions over the years,” he said. “That emotion of the players and supporters has never changed.“Two incredible football clubs … to have such an impact over such a period of time is quite special and we all appreciate that.”United has 61 points from 34 games, 12 behind leader Arsenal, while Liverpool is three points behind United and level on points with fifth-placed Aston Villa.Published on May 01, 2026 #Carrick #hopeful #Cunha #return #Manchester #United #hosts #Liverpool #Champions #League #race](https://i0.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/65qm0v/article70929338.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/2026-04-18T190824Z_1934087911_UP1EM4I1H5YY8_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-CHE-MUN.JPG?ssl=1 "Carrick hopeful of Cunha return as Manchester United hosts Liverpool in Champions League race Manchester United boss Michael Carrick is hopeful Matheus Cunha will be fit to return when his side hosts Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday in one of football’s fiercest rivalries, with both teams chasing Champions League qualification.United, third in the Premier League, needs two more points to secure a top-five finish and a return to Europe’s elite competition next season, while fourth-placed Liverpool is looking to strengthen its own Champions League position in a congested race.Carrick said Cunha had returned to light training after a recent setback.“We are in good shape really,” Carrick told reporters on Friday. “Matheus has done a little bit of work, so we are hopeful. With Luke [Shaw], we aren’t sure if he will be ready but we are hopeful. Matthijs [de Ligt] is still a little bit further, he won’t be involved in the game.“Other than that, we are in good shape.”The possible return of Cunha, who missed Monday’s 2-1 win over Brentford with a hip flexor injury, would be a timely boost for United in a fixture Carrick said retains its intensity regardless of league position.“It’s certainly always been one of my favourite games, without a doubt. It is a standout game,” he said.“Because of the history, the ups and downs this match-up has produced in the past, the entertainment and the emotion, all of those things make it a really special game.”United has climbed steadily since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim midway through the campaign, putting itself in position to finish above holder Liverpool and secure Champions League football with games to spare.“It shows the improvements of the group, we are getting stronger,” Carrick said. “We come into this game in such a good position off the back of good results and trying to achieve what we want.“But it is a one-off game. The league position is what it is but Sunday’s a whole different ball game.”Carrick has also restored academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo to the heart of the side, with the midfielder recently signing a new five-year deal after being marginalised earlier in the season under Amorim.ALSO READ: Jose Mourinho says no contact has been made with Real Madrid“He epitomises this football club,” Carrick said. “He is a young player who has come through the academy, is living and breathing the club, and has come through with real talent.“The natural thing for him was to sign a new contract so everyone is over the moon with it, including me because I think he deserves it.”Mainoo has started 12 of Carrick’s 13 league matches in charge, missing one game due to injury, underlining his renewed importance as United looks to finish strongly.Despite the league stakes, Carrick stressed the wider significance of a fixture that has shaped English football for decades.“When I think about this game, the first thing that comes to mind is that air of competition really, irrespective of league positions over the years,” he said. “That emotion of the players and supporters has never changed.“Two incredible football clubs … to have such an impact over such a period of time is quite special and we all appreciate that.”United has 61 points from 34 games, 12 behind leader Arsenal, while Liverpool is three points behind United and level on points with fifth-placed Aston Villa.Published on May 01, 2026 #Carrick #hopeful #Cunha #return #Manchester #United #hosts #Liverpool #Champions #League #race")
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