When Was The Last Time MS Dhoni Missed An IPL Match vs RCB?

MS Dhoni Virat Kohli in RCB vs CSK. Image Credits: AFP

The IPL 2026 first Sunday double-header will feature a thrilling encounter between defending champions RCB and CSK at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This fixture has always been one of the most anticipated, given its history of delivering classic matches.

What makes this game even more significant is the absence of MS Dhoni, who is sidelined due to a calf strain. It is rare for the CSK veteran to miss such a marquee match, especially against one of his team’s biggest rivals, RCB.

The question on everyone’s mind is whether MS Dhoni has ever missed an IPL match against RCB. If so, when was the last time MS Dhoni missed an IPL match vs RCB? This remains a point of interest, considering how crucial these fixtures have been in recent years.

MS Dhoni to Miss IPL Match vs RCB for the First Time in 16 Years

As MS Dhoni is set to miss IPL 2026 Match 11 for CSK against RCB in Bengaluru, it marks the first time in 16 years that Dhoni will be absent from an IPL match against RCB. The last time Dhoni missed an IPL match against RCB was in IPL 2010.

On March 23 2010 at Bengaluru, Suresh Raina led CSK against RCB in Dhoni's absence, with Parthiv Patel taking the gloves behind the stumps. 6 years later, the 44-year-old still holds a significant role in the RCB vs CSK rivalry, and unfortunately, he is going to miss this one.

Also Read: IPL 2026: RCB vs CSK Prediction, Match 11- Who Will Win Today?

CSK Lost Last Time MS Dhoni Missed an IPL Match vs RCB

RCB and CSK have faced off 35 times in IPL, with MS Dhoni playing in 34 of those games. The one match he missed due to an elbow issue was in IPL 2010, where CSK lost to RCB by 36 runs at Bengaluru.

RCB batted first and posted a challenging total of 172/5, thanks to an unbeaten 68 off 38 balls from Robin Uthappa. In reply, CSK could only manage 135/7, falling short by 36 runs, with Vinay Kumar leading RCB's charge with a brilliant 4-wicket haul.

Notably, that was not the only game Dhoni missed during IPL 2010 as he was absent for a total of three games that season, and CSK fell short in two of those. However, once Dhoni returned, CSK went on to lift their maiden IPL title. 

Dhoni-less CSK Faces Relentless RCB at the Worst Possible Moment

CSK finds themselves in a difficult situation, facing RCB without MS Dhoni at the worst possible time. RCB, coming off a commanding win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, is eager to keep their momentum going, making them a dangerous opponent for CSK.

CSK has struggled early in IPL 2026, suffering two consecutive losses to start the season. With Dhoni absent, they are now tasked with taking on the defending champions, RCB, who have been dominant in all departments. 

Despite leading the head-to-head 21-13, CSK enters this match with psychological hurdles, having lost the last three encounters to RCB. That recent edge will likely give RCB a boost, and their growing confidence could prove to be a deciding factor in this already intense rivalry.

Moreover, CSK's record without Dhoni is concerning, having won just one out of seven IPL matches when he has been absent. In addition, Dhoni’s absence in Bengaluru is even more significant given his stellar performance in RCB vs CSK fixtures there, with 413 runs at an average of 82.6 and a strike rate of 183.55.

Also Read: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, Pitch Report, Weather Report For RCB vs CSK- Match 11, IPL 2026