CSK hit by injuries ahead of IPL 2026: Dhoni, Brevis sidelined
CSK hit by injuries ahead of IPL 2026: Dhoni, Brevis sidelined
CSK faces a setback ahead of IPL 2026 as MS Dhoni and Dewald Brevis are ruled out early, with Nathan Ellis also sidelined, forcing lineup changes before the opener.
Chennai Super Kings head into IPL 2026 with a fresh injury toll. Dewald Brevis will miss the first two to three matches due to a side strain, while MS Dhoni is sidelined by a calf injury in training. Australian pace bowler Nathan Ellis has been ruled out for the season and Spencer Johnson has been brought in as his replacement. The team will kick off their campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Brevis, retained for INR 2.20 crore after a strong showing last season, scored 225 runs in six matches at an average of 37.50 and a strike rate of 180. He also featured for South Africa in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, where he amassed 207 runs in eight games at a strike rate of 146.80.
Dhoni is expected to miss at least the first two weeks of the tournament due to a calf strain, which could push younger players into more prominent roles early on. Sanju Samson is set to handle wicket-keeping duties if required.
Last season, CSK finished bottom of the table with four wins from 14 matches, making this injury crisis a challenging start. The opening fixture against Rajasthan Royals will test the squad’s depth and set the tone for the campaign as the team looks to rebound with a reshaped middle order and bowling attack.
