CSK unveil MS Dhoni replacement in XI vs RR; deploy Ravindra Jadeja’s INR 14.2 crore replacement in Impact Sub list

MS Dhoni is sidelined with a calf injury and is expected to return towards the end of next month.

Updated on: Mar 30, 2026, 19:46:36 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Chennai Super Kings on Monday offered a first glimpse into their transition phase, showing how the line-up shapes up in the absence of the legendary MS Dhoni. The former captain is sidelined with a calf injury and is expected to return towards the end of next month.

MS Dhoni is not part of CSK's match against RR (PTI)

As CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad walked out for the toss in their IPL 2026 opener against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, all eyes were on the team sheet. For months, Chennai have been preparing for life beyond Dhoni, especially after a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign, where they finished bottom of the table for the first time in history.

RR vs CSK LIVE Score, IPL 2026

When the XI was announced, Kartik Sharma was included as Dhoni’s replacement. The youngster, who built a reputation for his big-hitting exploits in the recent domestic season, was signed at the auction last December for INR 14.2 crore. Dhoni had picked up the injury during pre-season training and did not travel with the squad to Guwahati.

This marks the first time in seven years that CSK have fielded a playing XI without Dhoni, the previous instance coming in 2019 against Mumbai Indians at Chepauk. Overall, this is only the sixth time Chennai are playing without him in the IPL. The side has struggled in such scenarios, losing four of their last five matches without Dhoni, with their only win coming against Delhi Capitals in 2010.

Meanwhile, Sanju Samson, who completed a high-profile trade from the Royals ahead of the auction, will take over wicketkeeping duties, as confirmed earlier by CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan.

No place for Jadeja’s replacement

Chennai parted ways with Ravindra Jadeja as part of the trade deal with the Royals, along with Sam Curran, but brought in a replacement by signing Prashant Veer for INR 14.2 crore at the auction. The 20-year-old had caught attention with his performances in the UP T20 League, where he enjoyed an impressive 2025 season. Representing Noida Super Kings, he was named Emerging Player of the Season after scoring 320 runs in 10 innings at an average of 64 and a strike rate of over 155. He also contributed with the ball, picking up eight wickets at an economy rate of 6.69.

However, in the clash against Rajasthan, he was named in the Impact Sub list alongside Sarfaraz Khan, Rahul Chahar, Gurjapneet Singh, and Ramakrishna Ghosh, and, as it stands, may not get an opportunity to feature in the match.

CSK have seven bowling options in their bat-first XI, with Noor Ahmad at No.8. If there's a batting collapse, they have the option of bringing in Sarfaraz Khan as their Impact Player.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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