IPL 2026: No MS Dhoni for CSK again; star player returns as KKR opt to field

NEW DELHI: The anticipation was sky-high as fans waited to see their superstar MS Dhoni in action in IPL 2026, but the wait continues. When Ruturaj Gaikwad walked out for the toss alongside Ajinkya Rahane at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, fans were hoping to hear the words: “MS Dhoni will play today.”

But that announcement never came.

Dhoni, who was seen batting in the nets on Monday ahead of the CSK vs KKR clash, is still in recovery.

KKR Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and opted to field against CSK.

"Looking to bowl first. I think the last game was really good for us. Unfortunately, the result didn't go our way. But I thought the kind of cricket we played, guys are getting that confidence from the last game. It's all about starting fresh. It's important when things are not going your way, it's important to have that belief, stay positive and having those small, small moments in T20 format is really important. So, now looking forward to this game, we'll start off really well with the ball and then look to chase down the target," Rahane said during the toss.

"Yes, absolutely. The kind of knock Mukul played at the night was fantastic. I mean, it's going to happen in this format. As I said, it's all about belief. You know, guys are working really hard. For us, what matters is, putting those hard efforts, focusing on the control levels as players and, you know, having that belief in each and every individual. As I said, the combination looked really good for us in the last game. So, yeah, thinking about this game and just wanted to be in the moment. I mean, it is challenging after the mega auction to find the right balance and obviously the flow players are going through the injuries, players are unavailable. Tonight, just one change for us. Varun Chakaravarthy is fit. He's come in in place of Navdeep Saini," he said.

Gaikwad, on the other hand, did not provide any update on MS Dhoni’s fitness and opted to stick with the same playing XI.

"Yes, we would have bowled first as well. But as I said, you know, The wicket hasn't changed much throughout the course of the game. So not much of a difference. Definitely putting a big total on the scoreboard first innings will be challenging, but as I said, you know, it looks a really good surface. Yes, as I said, even in the post-match as well, I felt the bowling was really good defending 210, you know, against a strong DC side. Gave us a lot of confidence and you know, even the fielding unit was charged up. We saved a few runs and that is how I think collectively we did really well," Gaikwad said.

"Really exciting today as well. We got a job to do and everyone is feeling confident. And mentioning about combinations today, Ajinkya, I think even in your case, you seem to be getting the balance right now. Yes, I think we are slowly getting it right. You know, Brevis coming back and you know, J&P giving that crucial overs in the between as well. So I think we are slowly, slowly getting the right combination and it is just about delivering each and every game and staying consistent. And what is your combination for today's game? We are going with the same team," he said.

CSK have played five matches so far this season, including this clash, and Dhoni has missed all of them due to a calf strain.

On March 28, CSK had stated that Dhoni would be sidelined for the first two weeks of the tournament and would undergo rehabilitation. While that period has now ended, he is yet to regain full match fitness.

Dhoni has also not travelled with the squad for away fixtures this season.

In 278 IPL matches, Dhoni has scored 5,439 runs in 242 innings at an average of 38.30 and a strike rate of 137.45, including 24 fifties, with a highest score of 84*. He is currently the sixth-highest run-scorer in IPL history.

Last season, when CSK finished at the bottom of the table, he managed 196 runs in 13 innings at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of over 135, with a top score of 30.

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane(c), Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi(w), Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Khaleel Ahmed