Virat Kohli Walking Out To Bat vs CSK. Image Credits: AP
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are in a muddle in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). They have yet to open their account after losing the first three games, and playing without Dewald Brevis and MS Dhoni.
Although CSK is not feeling Brevis and Dhoni's absence, their bowling department has been their biggest concern this season.
After losing the opener due to woeful batting display, the five-time champions lost to Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru due to awful bowling display. So far in the IPL 2026, their bowlers have allowed the opposition teams to score over 200 runs twice already.
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Akeal Hosein creates more problems for CSK
Adding salt to CSK's wounds, another key member from their squad has been injured. As reported by Arattai Squad, Akeal Hosein has been ruled out of the next fixture against Delhi Capitals due to a side strain.
Hosein has yet to make his CSK debut after the franchise bought him for INR 2 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction. The West Indies’ left-arm spinner could have been included in the CSK vs DC Playing XI to take some pressure off, Noor Ahmad. Though CSK were experimenting with Rahul Chahar as the second spinner at home.
The absence of Akeal Hosein will haunt CSK as he would have given them overs in all phases of the innings, despite being a spinner.
What's update on Dewald Brevis, MS Dhoni?
Earlier, it was reported that Dewald Brevis has fully recovered from his side strain after missing the first three games for Chennai.
The South African batter was one of the rare positives for CSK last season, where they ended at the bottom of the points table for the first time ever. Added as a replacement mid-season, he had slammed 225 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 180. Meanwhile, Brevis has been in fabulous form in the last year or so.
On the other hand, MS Dhoni, who was initially deemed to miss the first weeks of IPL 2026, is expected to play against DC, given he clears the fitness tests after injuring his calf. However, Robin Uthappa thinks otherwise, as he believes Dhoni might miss the entire season.
How can CSK bounce back?
After losing to Rajasthan, Punjab and Bengaluru, Chennai will look to bounce back in their next two home games against Delhi and KKR at Chepauk.
Interestingly, Chennai hold an advantage over DC and KKR in head-to-head records. They enjoy a 19-12 lead over the former, and they have won 20 out of 32 matches against the latter team.
For the five-time champions, not just bowling hasn’t been the problem; their three senior pros in Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson have not delivered as they would have liked.
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