Chennai Super Kings offered a glimpse of their transition phase as they played without the legendary MS Dhoni due to a calf injury. Ruturaj Gaikwad led the team in their IPL 2026 opener against Rajasthan Royals. Kartik Sharma replaced Dhoni in the playing XI, showcasing his big-hitting abilities. This marked the first time in seven years that CSK played without Dhoni, with Sanju Samson taking over wicketkeeping duties.
Chennai had traded Ravindra Jadeja to the Royals but signed Prashant Veer as his replacement. Although Veer had an impressive track record in the UP T20 League, he was named in the Impact Sub list for the match against Rajasthan. The team has struggled in the past without Dhoni, with only one win in their last five matches without him. Despite the absence of key players, CSK is determined to make a strong comeback in the IPL 2026 season.
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