IPL 2026 latest buzz: MS Dhoni stays back as CSK fly to Delhi; MI leaves it to Rohit Sharma to decide on return

We are more than halfway done with the 19th season of the Indian Premier League, and the race to the playoffs getting more exciting with each passing day. Some teams are on the verge of sealing their place among the top four while some others are virtually out of the playoffs race, if not officially.

Ahead of Mumbai Indians' face-off against Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday, we take a look at the latest buzz from the world's biggest T20 league:

Dhoni not traveling to Delhi with CSK

MS Dhoni continues to represent Chennai Super Kings as a player at the age of 44, nearly six years on since he announced his retirement from international cricket. The former India and CSK captain, however, is yet to make a single appearance this season, having made his last competitive appearance against Gujarat Titans last year.

More from Firstcricket

MS Dhoni is yet to make a single appearance for Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League. Image: AFP

Dhoni has been sidelined by a calf injury this season, and while the management is hopeful that he will make an appearance at some point this season, it most certainly will not be in Chennai's upcoming away game against Delhi Capitals. The CSK squad, after all, left for New Delhi without their former captain, according to Cricbuzz, meaning Sanju Samson will continue to keep wickets as he has throughout the season so far.

Rohit to take a call on return

Dhoni's not only the only legend sidelined by an injury, with Rohit Sharma having also missed several games for Mumbai Indians this season. Former India and MI captain Rohit, unlike Dhoni, has played a few matches this season, having struck 78 off 38 balls in Mumbai's season-opener against Kolkata Knight Riders at Wankhede.

Rohit had last played for MI in their home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on 12 April, and has been relegated to the bench since then due to a hamstring injury. And according to Cricbuzz, the management has now left it to Rohit to decide whether he wants to take part in the remaining fixtures, starting with the home game against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday.

There have been promising signs from Rohit, who was seen batting in the nets at Wankhede on the eve of the LSG clash, and it remains to be seen if he returns to the MI lineup on Monday or not.

Salt returns to England

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, meanwhile, are likely to persist with Jacob Bethell as Virat Kohli's opening partner for a while longer with his compatriot Phil Salt having reportedly returned to England.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Phil Salt had injured his finger while fielding during the home game against Delhi Capitals at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Reuters

Salt, who formed a successful opening pairing with Kohli since arriving at RCB from Kolkata Knight Riders, had picked up a finger injury earlier this season and has returned home for scans on the affected finger.

ESPNCricinfo further reported that it was the England cricket team's management that requested Salt, who has a central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board, to fly back home for scans.