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Why Is MS Dhoni Not in CSK Playing XI Tonight for RCB vs CSK IPL 2026 Match?

Chandra Moulee Das

Last updated: March 30, 2026

3 min read

Why Is MS Dhoni Not in CSK Playing XI Tonight for RCB vs CSK IPL 2026 Match? It is a question that will be on the minds of many fans, especially since the Chennai Super Kings former skipper and stalwart is missing from the lineup for the first few fixtures of the 19th edition.

Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru lock horns tonight (April 5) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru.

Why Is MS Dhoni Not in CSK Playing XI Tonight for RCB vs CSK IPL 2026 Match?

The question ‘Why Is MS Dhoni Not in CSK Playing XI Tonight for RCB vs CSK IPL 2026 Match?’ has been trending since the toss. The answer is simple: MS Dhoni won’t be available as he is rehabbing for a calf strain and will be absent for the first two weeks of IPL 2026. The news of the same was confirmed by the CSK franchise earlier as well.

In the first two weeks, the five-time winners played Rajasthan Royals in their opener on March 30, followed by a clash against last year’s runners-up Punjab Kings. They will next play a high-octane southern derby against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru away on April 5, and Delhi Capitals at home on April 11. These are the four matches that MS Dhoni could miss so far, according to how things stand currently. Dhoni has also been dealing with a recurring knee problem since IPL 2023.

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Who will replace MS Dhoni in CSK Playing XI?

CSK have already secured Sanju Samson via a sensational trade for IPL 2026 and can shoulder the wicketkeeping responsibilities. However, Sanju bats at the top and CSK will need someone to fill the void of the finishing duties.

This is where CSK’s young signing Kartik Sharma, who was acquired for a record INR 14.2 crores at the auction as a like-for-like replacement for MS Dhoni, will step in. He can also keep wicket and hit the big shots and is expected to be slotted in the middle order alongside the likes of Shivam Dube and Jamie Overton.

RCB vs CSK Playing XIs

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy

RCB Impact Subs: Suyash Sharma, Jacob Bethell, Rasikh Salam Dar, Kanishk Chouhan, Venkatesh Iyer

Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed

CSK Impact Subs: Matthew Short, Akeal Hosein, Kartik Sharma, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Gurjapneet Singh.

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