Chennai, May 1 -- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting coach Michael Hussey on Friday explained that MS Dhoni deliberately chose not to attend CSK Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 matches because he didn't want to become a distraction for the team.

Hussey said Dhoni was concerned that the attention, crowd reaction, and cameras would shift focus away from the team's performance, and he preferred the players to carry out their work without added external pressure.

Dhoni, who injured his calf muscle during the pre-season camp, hasn't featured in a single match yet for CSK in the ongoing IPL.

Hussey was speaking to the reporters on the eve of CSK's high-voltage clash against the Mumbai Indians at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

"He's ...