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👉 Check Today's Deals on Amazon IndiaIPL 2026: MS Dhoni’s Absence Continues
NEW DELHI: The excitement was palpable as fans eagerly awaited superstar MS Dhoni to take the field for IPL 2026. However, the wait endures. When Ruturaj Gaikwad stepped up for the toss alongside Ajinkya Rahane at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, hopes ran high for the announcement: “MS Dhoni will play today.” But the moment never came.
Dhoni Still on the Road to Recovery
Despite being seen batting in the nets leading up to the CSK vs KKR clash, Dhoni remains in recovery. Ajinkya Rahane, captain of KKR, won the toss and chose to bowl first against CSK, further emphasizing Dhoni’s absence from the lineup.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ Game Strategy
Speaking about their game strategy, Rahane stated, “Looking to bowl first. I think the last game was really good for us. Unfortunately, the result didn’t go our way. Nevertheless, the kind of cricket we played instilled confidence in the team.” He emphasized the importance of believing in one another during challenging times.
Positive Outlook from Both Captains
Rahane also mentioned team changes, stating that Varun Chakaravarthy would replace Navdeep Saini due to fitness. On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad did not update on Dhoni’s fitness status, sticking with the same playing XI for the match.
CSK’s Performance So Far
CSK has played five matches this season, none of which featured Dhoni due to a calf strain. Initially, CSK announced that Dhoni would be sidelined for two weeks for rehabilitation. Although this period has concluded, he has not yet regained full match fitness and has not traveled with the squad for away games.
Dhoni’s Impressive Career Statistics
In his illustrious IPL career spanning 278 matches, Dhoni has scored 5,439 runs, averaging 38.30 with a strike rate of 137.45, including 24 fifties, with a top score of 84*. He is currently the sixth-highest run-scorer in IPL history. Last season, Dhoni managed just 196 runs in 13 innings, averaging 24.50 with a strike rate above 135.
Playing XI for Both Teams
Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Ajinkya Rahane(c), Cameron Green, Angkrish Raghuvanshi(w), Rovman Powell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Varun Chakaravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi.
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Khaleel Ahmed.
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