MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli (Image credit: BCCI/IPL Photo) NEW DELHI: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru got their IPL 2026 campaign off to a flying start with a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Now comes the thrilling southern derby between RCB and Chennai Super Kings – undoubtedly a marquee clash.While RCB head into the competition after a win, CSK are coming off two back-to-back defeats, against Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings.CSK missing Mahendra Singh Dhoni? Does his absence hurt the side after losing the first two games of the tournament?The wait for Dhoni will continue. He will not stop even in the playing eleven against RCB.
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Stephen Fleming on CSK’s overhaul, pressure player rule and impact on bowling
Why MS Dhoni will not play against RCB?
Dhoni was ruled out for the first two weeks with a calf strain.“MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026. Get well soon Thala,” CSK shared on social media ahead of the opening match against Rajasthan Royals.Head coach Stephen Fleming had earlier made it clear that while Dhoni is not on the field, his presence is still strongly felt. Fleming spoke of Dhoni’s “heavy” influence and involvement in the team.“It’s just a game without him. He’s still very much involved in the side and his influence remains very strong,” Fleming told reporters ahead of the Punjab Kings clash.platoons:Chennai Super Kings Squad: Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed, Jamie Overton, Rampneet Charish, Matthew Akja Short, Hosein, MS Dhoni, Shreyas Gopal, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Urvil Patel, Aman Khan, Dewald Brevis. Zakary Foulkes
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Who will be CSK’s main player in Dhoni’s absence?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh V., Sal. Hazlewood, Mangesh Yadav, Vihaan Malhotra, Vicky Ostwal, Jordan Cox, Swapnil Singh, Satvik Deswal.
