CSK Start IPL 2026 Without Dhoni and Raina in Historic Opener
CSK Start IPL 2026 Without Dhoni and Raina in Historic Opener
CSK will open IPL 2026 in Guwahati without both Dhoni and Raina, marking the first time the duo miss a CSK game together as Dhoni recovers from a calf strain and Raina has retired.
In IPL 2026, Chennai Super Kings will play the opener in Guwahati without both MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina for the first time in franchise history. Dhoni is sidelined with a calf strain and is expected to miss at least the first two weeks, while Raina has retired from professional cricket. The absence marks a historic moment for CSK as they begin a season that will test their depth and adaptability.
The team is leaning on a younger core as they navigate these departures. Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead CSK, and Dewald Brevis is out with a side strain, further nudging the squad toward youth and new leadership as they face a fresh challenge in a new market.
Dhoni’s last IPL absence was in 2019 due to fever, and he has missed only a handful of matches since CSK began in 2008. This year, the plan emphasizes balance between emerging talent and the experience that remains in the squad, aiming to build depth for a long campaign and future seasons.
Fans will be watching closely how CSK adapts to leadership gaps and a reshaped lineup in Guwahati. The opener stands not just for a game’s result but for how the franchise pivots under pressure, testing which players rise to the occasion and how the team sustains its traditions with a rejuvenated squad.
