MI vs CSK IPL 2026: Why Are Chennai Super Kings’ Players Wearing Black Armbands In Today’s Match Against Mumbai Indians

Chennai Super Kings players marked a sombre night at Wankhede, wearing black armbands against Mumbai Indians to honour fast bowler Mukesh Choudhary's mother, while Ruturaj Gaikwad also confirmed that MS Dhoni missed the high-profile IPL 2026 clash due to a calf strain picked up before the tournament.

The gesture from the CSK squad came during the league game against the Mumbai Indians on 23 April 2026, with the group treating the fixture as a tribute to Mukesh Choudhary's family, even as the team adjusted tactically to Dhoni's continued absence and introduced a few changes to the playing XI.

MI vs CSK: Why Are Players Wearing Black Armbands?

Mukesh Choudhary's mother, Prema Devi, passed away on Tuesday after battling illness for nearly a year. She had been undergoing treatment at Tata Hospital, where she breathed her last. As a mark of respect, Chennai Super Kings decided that the entire team would wear black armbands.

The franchise first informed supporters about the tribute through its official social media platforms on Thursday afternoon, stating that the CSK players would take the field in black armbands against the Mumbai Indians, with the message framed as a collective gesture from the squad in memory of Mukesh Choudhary's mother. This one is for Mukesh's mother. In her memory and in solidarity with Mukesh, we wear black armbands and play with a little more in our hearts today.

CSK followed up with another public message on X, sharing condolences for the bereaved family and stressing that the wider group was standing behind Mukesh Choudhary during the difficult period, as the pacer returned to action in the IPL 2026 environment after completing personal rituals at home.

"The CSK family mourns the passing of Mukesh Choudhary's mother. We stand with Mukesh and his family, keeping them in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time," CSK posted on X.

According to a report by Dainik Bhaskar, Choudhary travelled from the CSK camp to Bhilwara, Rajasthan straight after the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday. Mukesh and his elder brother, Dr Rajesh Choudhary, performed the final rites, before the left-arm seamer rejoined the CSK squad ahead of the CSK vs Mumbai Indians encounter.