Chennai Super Kings Kick Off IPL 2026 Without MS Dhoni
CSK's Historic Season Opener
The Chennai Super Kings commenced their 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign in a remarkable fashion, facing off against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on March 30. Under the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad, the team took to the field without the iconic MS Dhoni, who was sidelined due to a knee injury. This match marked a significant change for the Super Kings, as Sanju Samson made his debut for the team after transferring from RR, stepping in as the wicketkeeper in Dhoni's absence. Additionally, debut caps were awarded to Matthew Short, Karthik Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan, and Matt Henry.
CSK's Unique First in IPL History
This match was CSK's 278th match across all competitions, with 254 of those being in the IPL. Notably, it was only the sixth occasion that Dhoni was absent from the playing XI. The last time the Super Kings played without the legendary captain was in 2019 against the Mumbai Indians (MI). Historically, the team has struggled in Dhoni's absence, having won just one match out of five without him, currently facing a streak of four consecutive losses.
All CSK Matches Without MS Dhoni
| Opponent | Venue | Year | Captain | Result |
| Delhi Daredevils | Delhi | 2010 | Suresh Raina | Won |
| Kings XI Punjab | Chennai | 2010 | Suresh Raina | Lost (Super Over) |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | Bengaluru | 2010 | Suresh Raina | Lost |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Hyderabad | 2010 | Suresh Raina | Lost |
| Mumbai Indians | Chennai | 2019 | Suresh Raina | Lost |
| Rajasthan Royals | Guwahati | 2026 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | M tbd |
This match also signifies a historic moment for CSK, as it is the first time both Dhoni and Raina are absent from the playing XI. In their inaugural match on April 19, 2008, both players were integral to the team. Together, they contributed to four championship victories before Raina departed after the 2021 season. Raina had an impressive streak, playing every match until 2018, when he missed one due to injury. He also faced personal challenges that kept him out of the 2011 and 2020 seasons, and he missed the final games of the 2021 title-winning season due to injury.