Setback during warm-up game delays Dhoni's return

CSK head coach Stephen Fleming has revealed that MS Dhoni's return has been delayed after he tweaked his calf again during a warm-up game. Dhoni was initially ruled out for the first two weeks of the IPL due to a calf injury, but has now missed eight matches over nearly a month.

Speaking after CSK's fifth loss of the season, Fleming confirmed the setback. "He's pretty keen. The calf is a tough one though. We pushed it early, in the warm-up game he tweaked it again, and since then he has been working hard to get movement into it. There was a setback, so it has taken longer than we thought."

Dhoni has been batting in nets, facing throwdowns and spinners, and was seen sprinting with the physio on Saturday.

"He is the guide on this one, and we're just waiting for the word really," Fleming added. "All I can keep saying is he is progressing and doing everything he can."

With five losses in eight games, CSK sit sixth in the points table. They face Mumbai Indians at home on May 2.