New Delhi: MS Dhoni remains the missing piece chennai super kings In the much-anticipated match, CSK takes on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) intense pulsed light Bangalore Clash 2026. The high-pressure South Derby at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was bound to attract attention, but CSK once again had to cope without their iconic leader.RCB enters the match with confidence after a big opening win, while CSK is under pressure after losing two consecutive games to Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab.
On Sunday, CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad gave an update on Dhoni’s return after winning the toss and deciding to bowl first. He said: “MS (Dhoni) recovers slowly and sometimes it takes time. If he is ready to play, he will recover soon.”Dhoni’s absence naturally raises the question whether the team misses his presence on the field.CSK had earlier confirmed that Dhoni was out with a calf strain and was undergoing rehabilitation. “MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation from a calf strain. Hence, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Tara,” the team said.Despite not playing in the match, head coach Stephen Fleming stressed that Dhoni continues to be deeply involved in the team. “It’s just a game without him. He’s still heavily involved in the team and his influence is still very strong,” Fleming said ahead of the game against Kings XI Punjab.
When can MS Dhoni return to CSK?
If his recovery progresses as expected, Dhoni is likely to return when CSK takes on Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai on April 14. If this timeline is extended, the next possible return match will be against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18.CSK will also be hoping that their talisman returns in time for the high-stakes match against Mumbai Indians on April 23, where his experience and leadership skills could be crucial.
RCB vs CSK lineup
Chennai Super Kings (Starting XI): Sanju Samson (women), Ruturaj Gaikwad (centre), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Prashant Veer, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Matt Henry, Khaleel AhmedRoyal Challengers Bangalore (XI): Philip Salt, Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy
 on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their much-anticipated IPL 202.){kind=link}