table of contents
Like the previous matches of the ongoing IPL 2026 season, in tonight’s match too, there is no MS Dhoni in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) line-up.
The crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium was eagerly waiting to see their hero MS Dhoni in action against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). At the time of the toss, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad told that MS Dhoni is with the team, but due to injury he is not playing tonight.
CSK captain explains why MS Dhoni is not playing tonight
“He’s still here, but he’s not fit enough to play this game. Hopefully we win this and you have a bad performance in the last game. We just got one chance. Akil comes in for Gurjapaneet,” Ruturaj Gaikwad informed about one change at the time of the toss and the current situation of MS Dhoni.
CSK won the toss on their home ground and decided to bat first. It is important for them to win this one more match to keep their hopes alive for the play-offs. It will be a very difficult task for them to defeat a strong team like Sunrisers Hyderabad in front of the home crowd.
“We are looking to bat first. Well, there is nothing complicated in it, it is just simple for us. Take it one game at a time, try to win it, try to get good starts, assess the conditions well and do your best. Well, nothing, it is not like that, it is just that we have to respect the conditions and choose the best for the conditions. And yes, I think batting first feels good here now,” Ruturaj also mentioned.
Speculations about MS Dhoni’s retirement have again gained momentum among cricket fans.
This is CSK’s last home match in the current Indian Premier League season, so fans were hoping to see MS Dhoni on the field for the match against SRH.
Recently, the former captain himself had said that he would like to play his last T20 match in Chennai. Since he is now 44 years old, speculations about his retirement are now sky high.
It is important for both CSK and SRH to win this match
However, to keep their hopes alive, Chennai Super Kings will have to win this match at any cost. Before the match, the yellow team is in fifth place with 12 points from 12 matches. They started their IPL 2026 campaign on the wrong foot but bounced back at a crucial moment in the group stage.
On the other hand, Sunrisers Hyderabad is in third place with 14 points from 12 matches. To secure the fourth spot, SRH need to score 2 more points from tonight’s match. A very intense match is waiting in Chepauk. If CSK wins tonight, it will also have 14 points.
With 14 points, they will move one step ahead of Punjab Kings to occupy the fourth position. Chennai’s final group match will be against Gujarat Titans on May 21 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Read more: Ruturaj Gaikwad sacked! Sanju Samson appointed as the new captain of CSK