Trouble mounts for CSK: After MS Dhoni scare, another star batter sidelined for Rajasthan Royals opener

It remains unclear whether the star batter will be fit in time for CSK’s second fixture, a home game against Punjab Kings on Friday

Updated on: Mar 29, 2026, 20:36:09 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Injury concerns deepened for Chennai Super Kings on Sunday as another star batter was ruled out of their IPL 2026 opener against Rajasthan Royals, scheduled for Monday in Guwahati. Amid ongoing worries over MS Dhoni, CSK were dealt a fresh blow with Dewald Brevis set to miss the clash.

The South African batter picked up a side strain during training ahead of the game. Head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed the development on the eve of the match, adding that Brevis is currently undergoing rehabilitation.

It remains unclear whether Brevis will be fit in time for CSK’s second fixture, a home game against Punjab Kings on Friday, although the franchise is optimistic about a quick recovery.

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Brought in as a mid-season replacement for pacer Gurjapneet Singh last year, Brevis emerged as a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult campaign. The middle-order batter scored 225 runs in six matches at an average of 37.50 and a strike rate of 180 in IPL 2025.

In his absence, CSK could turn to Sarfaraz Khan to fill the middle-order role. The batter, who had gone unsold in the previous two seasons, was picked up at his base price of INR 75 lakh in last year’s auction.

This marks the fourth injury setback for CSK this season. Earlier, fast bowler Nathan Ellis was ruled out with a hamstring injury, while his replacement Spencer Johnson is recovering from a back stress issue and is expected to join the squad between April 21 and 23.

The biggest concern, however, remains Dhoni’s absence. The former captain is sidelined with a calf injury and is likely to be out for at least a month. A report in The Times of India suggested he could return in the final week of April, which would rule him out of the high-profile clash against Mumbai Indians. Dhoni also did not travel with the squad to Guwahati and is currently undergoing rehabilitation in Chennai.

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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