CSK Coach Discusses Dhoni's Impact and Brevis' Recovery Ahead of IPL Match
Chennai Super Kings Prepare for IPL Clash
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India] - As the Chennai Super Kings gear up for their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), Head Coach Stephen Fleming addressed the significant impact of MS Dhoni on the team and provided an update on South African player Dewald Brevis' fitness.
CSK faced a disappointing start to their season, suffering an eight-wicket defeat against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, where they managed to score only 127 runs. The match was notably marked by a rapid 15-ball half-century from Vaibhav Suryavanshi. With Dhoni sidelined for the initial two weeks due to a calf injury, the team’s performance without him raised concerns for captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. This match also ended a remarkable streak of 277 games where either Dhoni or Suresh Raina was present in the playing XI.
During the pre-match press conference, Fleming remarked on Dhoni's absence, stating, “It’s just a game without him. He remains deeply involved with the team, and his influence is still very strong.”
Fleming also mentioned that Brevis, who missed the opening match against RR, is currently in rehabilitation but expressed optimism about his timely return. Last season, Brevis had an impressive performance, scoring 225 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 180.00, including two fifties as an injury replacement.
“Yes, Brevis is out and is currently rehabbing. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before he returns,” he added.
The Super Kings are blending youth with experience for the 2026 IPL season, and Fleming emphasized the team's commitment to starting the tournament on a positive note. “We have invested in youth and Indian talent, and there is real energy in the group. The first game is always a good barometer, and we are focused on starting well,” he concluded.
Chennai Super Kings Squad: Sanju Samson(w), Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Urvil Patel, Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj, Akeal Hosein, Sarfaraz Khan, MS Dhoni, Dewald Brevis, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Chahar, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Aman Khan, Gurjapneet Singh, Zakary Foulkes, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer.