CSK Faces Early Setback: Dewald Brevis Ruled Out, MS Dhoni to Miss Initial Matches of IPL 2026
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their Indian Premier League 2026 campaign, with promising young batter Dewald Brevis ruled out of their opening match against Rajasthan Royals due to a side strain.
Head coach Stephen Fleming confirmed that Brevis sustained the injury during a training session and is currently undergoing rehabilitation. “Brevis is out. He had a side injury during training. So again, he is rehabbing. CSK is hopeful he will be fit again soon,” Fleming stated at a pre-match press conference in Guwahati.
Brevis’ absence compounds CSK’s early-season injury worries. Fast bowler Nathan Ellis has already been ruled out of the season, while former captain MS Dhoni is expected to miss the first two weeks due to a calf strain. Dhoni has stayed back in Chennai to focus on recovery and has not traveled with the squad.
Additionally, left-arm pacer Spencer Johnson—named as Ellis’ replacement—is set to join the team only on April 21, as he continues to recover from a back stress fracture.
Despite the challenges, Fleming expressed confidence in the squad’s depth, emphasizing that injuries are an inevitable part of modern cricket. “We have big enough squads to cover it… It’s just part of modern-day cricket. There is so much going on and so many demands on these players that injuries are inevitable,” he said.
Brevis’ absence is particularly disappointing given his impressive IPL 2025 performance, where he scored 225 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 180, including 17 sixes. He was expected to play a pivotal role in CSK’s middle order this season.
In his absence, Australia’s Matt Short could slot into the playing XI, while uncapped players Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer are also in contention for their debuts.
Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad confirmed he will open the innings alongside Sanju Samson, with Ayush Mhatre likely to bat at No. 3. The middle order could feature options such as Sarfaraz Khan and Urvil Patel as CSK looks to navigate their early-season injury crisis.
After finishing at the bottom of the table in IPL 2025 with just four wins, CSK will be eager to turn things around as they kick off their IPL 2026 campaign, despite the setback of missing key players in the opening match.
