The cricketing world was put on alert when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) announced that their 44-year-old former captain MS Dhoni has been ruled out for the first two weeks of the Indian Premier League 2026 due to a calf strain.
For years this question remained in the background. What does Chennai Super Kings look like without MS Dhoni?
Sunil Gavaskar believes the answer may finally be emerging.
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“At some stage, they have to figure out their XI without him,” he said on JioStar’s pre-match show, days before CSK’s IPL 2026 opener against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Monday, March 30.
“Obviously this could be the opportunity over the next two weeks. If he’s not there, it means three or maybe four games he’ll miss, which will give them a chance to see what kind of XI they need to win games.” MS Dhoni is the joint most successful IPL captain with five titles. (Photo: PTI)
Dhoni, who took over the captaincy last season after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out midway through the campaign due to injury, played all 14 matches but could not prevent CSK from finishing with a wooden spoon.
DELAYED ENTRIES
However, how Dhoni chose to work was more telling than the results.
He retreated more and more to the fringes of the innings. Once the definitive finisher, so often the last word in the chase, he now came later and later, saving himself for short cameos rather than extended responsibility. It was a shift shaped by both circumstance and strategy.
A troublesome knee that had dogged him for several years dictated those decisions. Dhoni managed his performances carefully, stepping in when late onslaughts were called for but rarely pushing higher up the order. The numbers reflected this limitation: 196 runs over 13 innings, a top score of 30 not out and a strike rate of 135.17. Useful, but no longer defining. Is Dhoni entering his last round in the IPL? (Photo by Reuters)
Former South African pacer Dale Steyn also described the situation as a blessing in disguise. “It gives them a glimpse of what the future of Chennai Super Kings will look like,” he said on the pre-match show.
Dhoni, now in the twilight of his career, he may have had the perfect opportunity to retire after leading the franchise to its fifth title in 2023. He battled serious knee problems during that campaign and underwent surgery on his left knee shortly after the tournament.
since Dhoni continued to struggle with recurring knee problemswhich affected his ability to perform at full capacity. “My fitness is on the way down, not up,” he admitted during CSK’s ‘ROAR 2026’ event.
CSK, at least on paper, began to prepare for life away from him. The acquisition of Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals, in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the 2026 mini-auction, was a major move. Samson, fresh from an outstanding T20 World Cup campaign with India where he was named player of the tournament, is expected to open the batting and take over the wicket duties.
But replacing Dhoni was never about filling a single role. It is a redistribution of the presence that shaped the rhythm of the party for more than ten years. While Samson offers a long-term option behind the stumps, the immediate concerns lie elsewhere.
CSK’s lower middle order, once defined by certainty, now feels restless.
The absence of Dewald Brevis in the opening match only increased this uncertainty. The South African’s side strain leaves CSK short of a natural aggressor in the middle order and potentially without an overseas batsman in the XI until he returns.
LOWER MIDDLE HEADACHE
In Dhoni’s absence, the question of who will take over as the finisher becomes inevitable. Ravichandran Ashwin offered an early plan, suggesting Sarfaraz Khan – his preferred choice – or Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Ayush Mhatre at number six.
For the seventh, Ashwin bowed to one of CSK’s Rs 14.20 crore uncapped, preferring wicket-keeper batsman Kartik Sharma to bowling all-rounder Prashant Veer. The logic is clear: if the lower order lacks experience, it must at least offer intent.
However, Brevis’ absence could force a rethink. Both Kartik and Prashant may find themselves among them, while Ramakrishna Ghosh, the medium-pace bowling all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh, remains a viable option after an impressive build-up to the season. Dewald Brevis was ruled out of CSK’s first few matches. (Photo: Reuters)
Team balance will be fragile. An overseas spinner like Akeal Hosein strengthens the bowling but risks further thinning the bat. Jamie Overton, on the other hand, offers a different trade-off – pace with the added benefit of a late strike.
There are other options. Matt Short, the Australian power-hitter, could be slotted into the middle order as a temporary solution until Brevis returns. However, none of these options quite replicates what Dhoni once provided: assurance under pressure.
And that is perhaps the central point.
Chennai Super Kings have operated with the comfort of inevitability for years. However the match unfolded, there was always a feeling that Dhoni would have the last word. His absence, even for a short period, removes this certainty.
What remains is an opportunity: an opportunity that CSK have been putting off for a long time. In the next few weeks, they can finally find out what their future looks like.
And are they ready for it?
RR VS CSK: HEAD-TO-HEAD
Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings have shared a closely contested rivalry with little separating the two sides over the years.
- Matches played: 31
- RR won: 15
- ČSK won: 16
- No result: 0
The narrow margin reflects how evenly matched the two teams have been, adding more intrigue to their IPL 2026 opener.
RR VS CSK: WEATHER REPORT
Weather could play a role in Guwahati, with a 30 percent chance of rain earlier in the day.
It is expected to be mostly cloudy with showers in the afternoon. The evening is likely to remain wet with lingering cloud and a few late showers possible. Temperatures will range between 27°C and 19°C, humidity around 84 percent.
Encouragingly, the chance of rain is expected to drop to around 20 per cent within hours of the match, improving the chances of an uninterrupted game.
RR VS CSK: PITCH REPORT
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium usually offers a batting-friendly surface, with little help for the bowlers once the pitch settles.
The average score here is around 175-185 and the chase was often the preferred option due to the shorter boundaries and the quick outfield.
A new pitch is in place for Monday’s clash, although rain on the eve of the game forced it under cover. Early moisture could help the bowlers initially before the conditions under the lights soften.
WHEN AND WHERE IS RR VS CSK, IPL 2026 MATCH?
The RR vs CSK match will be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The match will start at 19:30.
WHERE CAN I WATCH RR VS CSK IPL 2026 MATCH?
The match will be telecast on Star Sports Network, with live streaming available on JioHotstar.
RR VS ČSK: EXPECTED XI
CSK Predicted XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Shivam Dube, Urvil Patel, Sarfaraz Khan, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Subs: Noor Ahmed, Shreyas Gopal, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Rahul Chahar
Rajasthan Royals Predicted XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Donnovan Ferreira, Jofra Archer, Ravi Bishnoi, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma
Impact Sub: I Heard Burger / Adam Milne
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
March 30, 2026 09:22 IST
