IPL 2026, RR vs CSK Today Match: Chennai Super Kings are without veteran wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni for their Indian Premier League 2026 opener against Rajasthan Royals at Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Monday due to a calf strain. The franchise said Dhoni is undergoing rehabilitation and is expected to miss at least the first two weeks of the tournament.
Dhoni has been ruled out of the match due to a calf strain and is expected to miss at least two weeks, the franchise said. "MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of the TATA IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala!" CSK wrote in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on March 28, 2026.
In Dhoni’s absence, Sanju Samson has taken over wicketkeeping duties for Chennai after joining the team in a pre-season trade. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad continues to lead the side.
Dhoni, 44, played 13 innings in IPL 2025, scoring 196 runs at a strike rate of 135.17. He also returned to captain the side last season after Ruturaj Gaikwad was sidelined with an elbow injury. Chennai finished at the bottom of the table in 2025 and have started the new season without their longtime captain as he continues recovery.
Earlier, Rajasthan captain Riyan Parag won the toss and elected to field, citing moisture in the surface following recent rain.
IPL 2026 RR vs CSK Playing XIs:
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma(w), Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma
Impact Substitutes:
Chennai Super Kings Impact subs: Sarfaraz Khan, Prashant Veer, Rahul Chahar, Gurjapneet Singh, Ramakrishna Ghosh
Rajasthan Royals Impact subs: Donovan Ferreira, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Sushant Mishra, Tushar Deshpande