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Like the previous matches of the ongoing IPL 2026 season, in tonight’s match too, there is no MS Dhoni in the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) line-up.
The crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium was eagerly waiting to see their hero, MS Dhoni, in action against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). At the toss, Rituraj Gaikwad, CSK captain, informed that MS Dhoni is with the team, but due to an injury, he is not playing tonight.
CSK skipper explains why MS Dhoni is not playing tonight
“He's still here, but he's not fit enough to play this game. Hopefully we win this one, and you'll have a low in the last game. We got just one chance. Akeal comes in for Gurjapneet,” Ruturaj Gaikwad informed about one change and MS Dhoni’s current status at the toss.
CSK has won the toss and chosen to bat first at their home ground. It is another must-win match for them to keep their hopes for the play-offs alive. In front of the home crowd, it will be a very hard job for them to defeat a strong side like the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“We are looking to bat first. Well, it's nothing complicated, it's just simple for us. Take it one game at a time, look to win this one, look to start well, look to assess the conditions well, and put your best foot forward. Well, nothing, not as such, it's just that we have to respect conditions and choose what's best for the conditions. And yes, I think batting first looks good here now,” Ruturaj also mentioned.
MS Dhoni retirement speculations gain momentum again among cricket fans
This is CSK’s last home match in the ongoing Indian Premier League season, so the fans were expecting to see MS Dhoni taking the field for the match against SRH.
In the past, the former skipper himself stated that he would like to play his last ever T20 match in Chennai. As he is now 44, speculations around his retirement are touching the roof now.
A must-win match for both CSK and SRH
However, Chennai Super Kings will have to win this match at any cost to keep their hopes alive. Ahead of the match, the team in Yellow is in fifth place with 12 points from 12 games. They started their IPL 2026 campaign on the wrong note, but bounced back in a crucial moment of the group phase.
On the other side, Sunrisers Hyderabad is in third place with 14 points from 12 matches. To secure the fourth place, SRH will have to secure 2 more points from tonight’s fixture. A highly intense match is waiting in Chepauk. If CSK wins tonight, then they will have 14 points as well.
With 14 points, they will move one step forward to capture the 4th spot, surpassing the Punjab Kings. Chennai's final group match will be against the Gujarat Titans on May 21 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
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