IPL 2026 began with heartbreak for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans as MS Dhoni’s calf injury became one of the biggest talking points of the season. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter, who continues to mesmerise an unmatched fan base, was ruled out of the opening phase of IPL 2026, raising serious concerns about his fitness and future in the tournament.
His most talked about injury was when the better had to undergo an arthroscopic surgery on his left knee at Kokilaben Hospital in 2023. He batted the entire IPL season with a severe left knee injury, relying heavily on strappings and ice packs.
His appearances in the IPL, despite battling issues with his form in recent years, have sparked an important question: Can athletes over 40 recover from injuries like younger players?
Sports injuries and recovery time period:
Recovery after injury naturally becomes slower with age. In younger athletes, muscles repair faster, collagen production is stronger, and inflammation tends to subside more quickly.
Once a sportsperson crosses 40, the body begins to experience gradual changes such as reduced muscle mass, slower tissue healing, decreased bone density, and stiffer joints. These biological realities make recovery from injuries, especially knee-related problems, far more challenging.
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For someone like Dhoni, the role of a wicketkeeper places immense stress on the knees due to constant squatting, quick movement, and reflex actions. Years of such strenuous movements can lead to cartilage wear, ligament stress, and chronic joint pain.
Athletes who have access to impressive rehabilitation programs that include physiotherapy, strength training, nutrition planning and more can utilise the resources to optimise the body’s natural healing process.
Mental resilience also cannot be overlooked. Injury recovery is often as psychological as it is physical. Older athletes face greater pressure because every setback raises retirement questions.
However, science makes one thing clear: recovery at 40+ is rarely identical to recovery at 25. Healing takes longer, training loads must be carefully managed, and rest becomes non-negotiable. Pushing through pain without proper treatment can worsen long-term joint damage.
" With increasing age, even in exceptionally fit athletes like M. S. Dhoni, recovery becomes slower. Muscle strength, joint resilience, reaction time, flexibility, and tissue healing capacity gradually decline. The risk of recurrent calf, knee, hamstring, back, and cervical injuries also becomes higher. Minor niggles that a younger athlete may recover from within days can take substantially longer in athletes over 40. Another important issue is cumulative wear and tear from decades of elite cricket. Even if scans are normal, players may still not be 'match fit' for the explosive demands of T20 cricket. Modern franchise cricket is extremely high intensity, and teams are understandably cautious about exposing senior players to situations where incomplete recovery could predispose to further injury. At this level, availability is not merely about being able to walk or train; it is about being able to perform repeatedly at peak reflex, agility, endurance, and recovery standards", says Hyderabad-based Dr Sudhir Kumar.
However, it needs to be seen if MS Dhoni will head out to play the match against SRH, with retirement rumours doing the rounds that it could be the last chance for the Yellow Army to see 'Thala' in action on their home turf.