Chennai Super Kings (CSK) don’t often find themselves here. Four games in, with one win, CSK are still searching for a rhythm that used to come naturally to them at Chepauk. That win against Delhi Capitals (DC) may have steadied the noise, but it hasn’t answered all questions. If anything, there are a few selection calls ahead of tonight’s clash against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). And as always, the biggest question is if MS Dhoni will finally play in IPL 2026.
MS Dhoni unlikely; Brevis gives CSK what they were missing
The short answer on Dhoni is simple. He is close, but not close enough.
He has only faced throwdowns so far, hasn’t kept wickets in training and hasn’t travelled regularly with the squad. For a 44-year-old coming off a calf injury, CSK are understandably cautious. IPL 2026 hasn’t felt Dhoni’s presence yet and the Chepauk crowd will be missing him dearly. Even last season, when he faced 145 balls across the tournament, his strike rate dipped to 135. It was a major drop from 182 (2023) and 221 (2024).
So, unless there’s a late call, Sanju Samson continues as wicketkeeper. And that has actually worked in CSK’s favour. His 115* off 56 in the last game gave CSK fans something huge to remember. The match-winning knock was CSK’s first hundred this season and came at a strike rate of 205.35. Samson, of the T20 World Cup 2026 was finally seen in the yellow of CSK.
Dewald Brevis, meanwhile, balances this side better than what they had earlier. CSK’s middle order failed in the tournament. Brevis gives them a hitter who doesn’t need time, especially against spin, which is crucial at Chepauk.
Mhatre vs Gaikwad: A conversation CSK can’t ignore
Ruturaj Gaikwad is the captain. That alone ensures stability in selection. But numbers don’t favour him as of now, especially not as an opener. Since IPL 2024, Gaikwad’s powerplay strike rate sits at 129, with just one boundary every five balls. In comparison, Ayush Mhatre has been operating at a strike rate of 180 in the same phase. In T20s, it is a huge difference.
In the last match too, Gaikwad made 15 off 18. CSK still got to 212 because Samson went ballistic at the other end. That won’t happen every night. For now, CSK will persist. But internally, they would know that the top-order tempo needs fixing, not later, but soon. Maybe Gaikwad and Mhatre swap places within the side.
Predicted CSK playing XI vs KKR
| Position | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sanju Samson (WK) | Wicketkeeper-Batter |
| 2. | Ruturaj Gaikwad (C) | Opener |
| 3. | Ayush Mhatre | Batter |
| 4. | Dewald Brevis ✈️ | Batter |
| 5. | Sarfaraz Khan | Batter |
| 6. | Shivam Dube | All-rounder |
| 7. | Akeal Hossain ✈️ | Bowling all-rounder |
| 8. | Jamie Overton ✈️ | All-rounder |
| 9. | Anshul Kamboj | Pacer |
| 10. | Noor Ahmad ✈️ | Spinner |
| 11. | Khaleel Ahmed | Pacer |
| 12. | Gurjapneet Singh | Pacer |
For years, Chepauk meant spin-choke. Under Dhoni, spinners bowled 8.3 overs per game on average. Under Gaikwad, that number has dropped to 6.3. And the returns haven’t matched either, spinners have taken nearly double the wickets under Dhoni compared to now.
Against DC, CSK went on more pace. Hard lengths, cross-seam, into-the-pitch bowling. Jamie Overton (4/18) and Anshul Kamboj (3/35) were relentless. That template is unlikely to change tonight.
Noor Ahmad still controls the middle overs, but this attack now revolves around pace. Gurjapneet Singh’s extra bounce and Khaleel Ahmed’s angles add variety, while Overton remains the strike option.
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