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CSK vs DC IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) came into IPL 2026 with the massive pressure that follows defending champions, but the season has fallen apart much faster than anyone in the yellow camp expected. Right now, the five-time champs are stuck at the bottom of the table. They’ve lost all three opening games and are carrying a brutal net run rate of -2.517. Their worst night was against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where RCB racked up a massive 250/3, leaving CSK 43 runs short. Those earlier losses to the Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals only made things worse. This is officially the second-worst start in the team’s history, and even their home-ground advantage at Chepauk is fading. They’ve managed only three wins in their last 15 home games since 2023.

The MS Dhoni Situation, Fleming's Words, Expected Return

You can’t talk about CSK’s early-season slump without mentioning MS Dhoni’s absence. Before the first game, the team confirmed he is dealing with a calf strain and would likely miss the first two weeks of the tournament while in rehab. The team’s "Get well soon, Thala" post on social media really summed up the mix of love and worry the fans are feeling right now. Head coach Stephen Fleming has been quick to shut down any talk that MS Dhoni being sidelined makes him less important to the group. He’s flatly denied that these opening weeks are some kind of transition phase, insisting the veteran's presence is as big as ever. "He is still heavily involved with the side," Fleming told the press. "We are managing his injury, but his influence on the team is very strong." Ahead of today's (April 11) game against Delhi Capitals, Fleming mentioned that while Dhoni is working hard to return, they aren't going to rush him.

Will MS Dhoni play in the CSK vs DC IPL 2026 game?

Reports from Cricbuzz suggest MS Dhoni will indeed sit out today’s match against Delhi, as he probably needs one more week of rehab to be fully ready for a game. The management is now looking at the April 18 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad as a realistic comeback date. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan noted that while Dewald Brevis is recovering well, it’s still hard to put an exact date on MS Dhoni’s return. The stats show exactly why his absence hurts so much. MS Dhoni has played more IPL matches than anyone else (278) and is the league's sixth-highest run-scorer with 5,439 runs at a 38.30 average. He’s also the only keeper to hit the 200-dismissal milestone. Last season, he played all 14 games and finished with a strike rate of 135.17. A Disgusting Thing? This Phil Salt Record In RR vs RCB IPL 2026 Game Will Shatter The Fans But more than the numbers, it’s Dhoni’s mental impact that Fleming keeps highlighting. Even Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is captaining in his place, mentioned at the RCB toss that "MS is getting back slowly, sometimes it takes time." You can see Dhoni’s calm style rubbing off on the team, even when he’s just sitting in the dugout. Most people expect 2026 to be his final run, though he hasn't officially retired. For now, he’s recovering, not saying goodbye, and for CSK, getting him back on the field matters more than any single batting performance ever could.