Chennai Super Kings fans get bad news just days before their season opener. MS Dhoni won’t be stepping onto the field. This plot has forced the side to make some tough calls quickly.
The match against the Rajasthan Royals was felt to be special for many reasons. Several players will face their former teams for the first time. But now the biggest talking point is totally different from what anyone hoped.
Why MS Dhoni Will Miss the CSK vs RR Match
MS Dhoni picked up a calf injury during training sessions recently. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter needs proper rest to heal fully from this pain. He will miss multiple matches in IPL 2026 starting with this opener.
This marks a rare situation for CSK this season. MS Dhoni hardly ever sits out matches unless truly vital these days. Fans in Guwahati were hoping to see him play at Barsapara Cricket Stadium.
The match happens on March 30, 2026 against Riyan Parag’s RR. CSK management knew about the injury well before announcing the team news. They started working on backup plans immediately after getting medical reports.
Who Gets the Wicketkeeping Gloves?
Sanju Samson will keep wickets for CSK during MS Dhoni’s absence from the lineup. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan made this announcement official after fan speculation went wild. Samson joined Chennai through a trade deal from the Rajasthan Royals this year.
“Sanju Samson will keep wickets in the absence of Thala in this IPL. The way Sanju was welcomed in Chennai in our preseason event shows how much the fans love him,” CSK CEO said.
The irony isn’t lost on anyone watching this CSK vs RR contest unfold. Samson now plays against his old team while wearing different colors. He brings solid experience with 86 catches and 17 stumpings across 177 IPL games.
Chennai fans already showed their love for Samson at a preseason event. His keeping skills are proven and reliable at the highest level. The transition behind the stumps should go smoothly without major hiccups.
MS Dhoni’s Replacement in the Batting Order
Urvil Patel looks set to replace MS Dhoni in the playing XI tonight. He’s the most likely choice according to team insiders and cricket experts. Patel already played 3 matches for CSK earlier in IPL 2026 successfully.
His numbers speak volumes about his finishing abilities in pressure situations. Urvil scored 68 runs at an explosive strike rate of 212.50 recently. Those statistics make him perfect for the death-overs role that Dhoni usually fills.
Other options included Sarfaraz Khan and Kartik Sharma for consideration too. But Patel’s power-hitting gives CSK the same bold approach they’re known for. Ruturaj Gaikwad can also keep wickets if needed as a crisis backup.
