No MS Dhoni in CSK vs RR, IPL 2026 (AFP)
The toss update is out, and so are the team sheets for both Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for the match number 3 of the ongoing IPL 2026. However, for the very first time in the past 7 years, MS Dhoni is out of CSK’s playing 11.
Thus, the question arises: where is MS Dhoni, and why is the legend not on the field?
Why is MS Dhoni not playing today’s IPL 2026 match between CSK and KKR?
Chennai Super Kings have entered the field without their most decorated captain, MS Dhoni, in their IPL 2026 campaign opener on Monday.
It is worth noting that the former skipper picked up a calf injury in pre-season and will officially miss the first two weeks of CSK’s campaign, while reports suggest that the timeline could extend to the entire first half of IPL 2026.
“MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of TATA IPL 2026," CSK posted on X on Saturday morning.
Checkout the post here:
Who has replaced MS Dhoni in CSK playing 11?
It is worth noting that two new names have been included in the Chennai Super Kings' playing 11, namely Sanju Samson and youngster Kartik Sharma. While Kartik, the 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, seems the more like-for-like replacement for MS Dhoni, the team sheet shared by Ruturaj Gaikwad at the time of the toss attributed Sanju Samson as the designated wicket-keeper.
Also read: MS Dhoni Leaves CSK Camp
CSK playing XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Sub: Ramakrishna Ghosh, Gurjapneet Singh, Prashant Veer, Sarfaraz Khan, Rahul Chahar
When was the last time Dhoni missed a match for CSK?
Dhoni has long been central to CSK as captain, finisher and wicketkeeper, but this match at the Baraspara Cricket Stadium will go ahead without him. His absence brings focus on the last time he missed a game and how often he has been unavailable since the IPL began in 2008.
The legendary captain has rarely missed matches for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, with only 5 exceptions between 2008 and 2019 out of over 250 matches. IPL matches where MS Dhoni did not feature for CSK:
- CSK vs DD, Delhi, 2010
- CSK vs KXIP, Chennai, 2010
- CSK vs RCB, Bengaluru, 2010
- CSK vs SRH, Hyderabad, 2019
- CSK vs MI, Chennai, 2019
- CSK vs RR, Guwahati, 2026, Tonight*
It is further noted that from 2020 to 2025, Dhoni played every CSK match. This included leading the franchise to IPL titles in the years 2021 and 2023. With 278 appearances, Dhoni is the most-capped player in the tournament's history. Thus, his absence leaves a younger CSK side without one of its most adorned players.
Also read: RR Vs CSK Toss Update: Riyan Parag Asks Ruturaj Gaikwad And Co To Bat In Rain-Affected Guwahati
