Chennai Super Kings head into their IPL 2026 opener against Rajasthan Royals without two key players, as both MS Dhoni and Dewald Brevis have been ruled out of tonight’s clash at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. Here is a full breakdown of both injury updates and what it means for CSK’s playing XI.
Why Is MS Dhoni Not Playing Today vs RR?
The question on every CSK fan’s mind heading into tonight’s game is: why is MS Dhoni not playing today?
MS Dhoni is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026 for Chennai Super Kings as he recovers from a calf strain, with the franchise confirming he is currently undergoing rehabilitation. CSK officially confirmed the MS Dhoni injury update via a statement on social media, with the franchise urging fans to wish their icon a speedy recovery.
The MS Dhoni injury — a calf strain — means he will sit out CSK’s first four matches, which include games against Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Delhi Capitals.
In Dhoni’s absence, new marquee signing Sanju Samson is the favourite to take the wicketkeeping gloves, with CSK also having Urvil Patel and Kartik Sharma as backup options behind the stumps.
Dhoni’s absence is a significant blow not just in terms of wicketkeeping but also as a finisher. He scored 196 runs across 13 innings in IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 135.17, and his experience in crunch moments is irreplaceable. For the latest on the MS Dhoni injury update, ESPN has the full details here.
When will MS Dhoni return? Likely after two weeks only.
Why Is Dewald Brevis Not Playing Today vs RR?
The second major injury concern for CSK is the Dewald Brevis injury update. So why is Dewald Brevis not playing today?
The explosive South African middle-order batter has been ruled out of CSK’s opening games due to a side strain, as we covered in detail here on The Dakia. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed both the Dewald Brevis injury and Dhoni’s absence before the squad departed for Guwahati, confirming neither player made the trip for tonight’s RR vs CSK match.
Brevis was expected to be a key part of CSK’s middle-order firepower in IPL 2026, having been purchased for his ability to accelerate against both spin and pace. Side strains are particularly challenging for power hitters — the rotational load on the torso makes it risky to rush a return. There is no confirmed timeline on his comeback, but the injury is not believed to be long-term.
When will Dewald Brevis return for CSK in IPL 2026? Expected after 2-3 games according to Kasi Viswanathan, the CSK CEO.
MS Dhoni and Dewald Brevis Injury: The Bigger Picture for CSK
The twin absences of Dhoni and Brevis are part of a wider injury crisis for Chennai Super Kings at the start of IPL 2026. Nathan Ellis, the Australian fast bowler, has already been ruled out of the entire tournament with a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Spencer Johnson.
That means CSK are heading into their season opener against Rajasthan Royals without three players who featured in their original plans — a significant challenge for Ruturaj Gaikwad’s side.
You can track all the latest unavailable players across franchises in our IPL 2026 injured players list on The Dakia.
RR vs CSK Playing XI Match 3 IPL 2026
Below are the RR vs CSK playing XI and impact players.
CSK Playing XI, Impact Player And Batting Order
Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj.
CSK Impact subs: Sarfaraz Khan, Prashant Veer, Rahul Chahar, Gurjapneet Singh, Ramakrishna Ghosh
RR Playing XI, Impact Player And Batting Order
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Nandre Burger, Brijesh Sharma. Impact player: Donovan Ferreira (confirmed by Riyan at toss)
Rajasthan Royals Impact subs: Donovan Ferreira, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Sushant Mishra, Tushar Deshpande
Samson stepping up behind the stumps adds another dimension to his role tonight — he will bat at the top and keep wicket, a dual responsibility he has handled before during his time as Rajasthan Royals captain.
RR vs CSK: Match and Weather Context
Tonight’s game is already under weather threat, with rain having caused delays at the Barsapara Stadium. For a full breakdown of the toss, cut-off times, and updated playing conditions, check out our live RR vs CSK weather and playing conditions article on The Dakia.
Despite the injury setbacks, CSK will be eager to make a strong start — and with Sanju Samson walking out to bat against his former team, this remains one of the most compelling opening-night fixtures in recent IPL memory.
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