CSK vs RR: When Was MS Dhoni Last Ruled Out Of An IPL Match For Chennai Super Kings? Check Past Instances

CSK vs RR: Chennai Super Kings are facing a case of rarity as they are starting their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign without the iconic wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni as the team prepares to face Rajasthan Royals at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on Monday.

CSK are without charismatic Dhoni, who has been sidelined for at least two weeks due to a calf injury.

Legendary wicketkeeper-batter's absence from Monday's match draws a rare instance for Chennai Super Kings, as they take to the field without their iconic leader for the first time since the 2019 IPL season. In the 2019 season, Dhoni missed two games.

The 45-year-old’s previous absences in 2019 didn't hamper CSK's progress, as they reached the final, narrowly losing to the Mumbai Indians by one run.

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In the 2019 IPL season, Dhoni missed the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad due to a back spasm, in which CSK faced a six-wicket defeat.

He also sat out the match against the Mumbai Indians, which resulted in a 46-run loss for CSK, owing to a viral fever.

CSK playing without MS Dhoni in IPL

vs DD, Delhi 2010 (Won)

vs KXIP, Chennai 2010 (Lost)

vs RCB, Bengaluru 2010 (Lost)

vs SRH, Hyderabad 2019 (Lost)

vs MI, Chennai 2019 (Lost)

vs RR, Guwahati, 2026

Notably, Chennai Super Kings are playing their first game without MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina in 277 matches.

Talking about CSK’s first match of IPL 2026, the team was put to bat first by the Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Monday.

IPL 2026: CSK vs RR Playing XIs

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed.

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Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag(c), Dhruv Jurel(w), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma.