Like DC, CSK are on a tough path and if they slip up on Tuesday night, it will ensure another early exit from the tournament, the lowest since last season.
In the first half of the season, captain Rituraj Gaikwad’s lack of runs with the bat cost him while Sanju Samson alone carried the burden in a young-looking batting line-up.
But the skipper found a way back between the runs and DC went into the game on the back of back-to-back half-centuries.
Arul Patel is batting at number three ahead of Sarfraz Khan after the injured Ayush Mahatre withdrew.
14 off 12 balls in the win against Mumbai Indians will do wonders for Patel’s confidence. The same is the case with Karthik Sharma, who scored his maiden IPL fifty on Saturday night.
Two of CSK’s four wins have come against a struggling Mumbai Indians while one against DC in Chepauk. Gaikwad & Co. will rely on this performance in the comeback phase.
DC vs CSK Live Score, IPL 2026: Will MS Dhoni play vs DC? CSK’s bowling coach’s blunt reply ‘above my pay grade’ is going viral.
When will MS Dhoni play? Will he present today? What is the status of his injury? These questions are dominating social media, with CSK fans eager to see their superstar in action. Dhoni is yet to play a game this season due to a shin injury, and the topic came up again when Chennai Super Kings bowling coach Eric Simmons addressed the media ahead of the IPL 2026 clash between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings.
Simmons said that Dhoni has not traveled for the away fixture against Delhi Capitals, although he is steadily improving.
More than half of the season completed, CSK is set to play its 10th match in what has been a great campaign. As has been the case every season since his international retirement, the 44-year-old Indian great’s future in the IPL has been rife with speculation.
In the pre-match chat, it was hardly surprising that the first question was about Dhoni, who has been batting in the nets recently.
“The update on MS Dhoni is well above my pay grade. He is not with us (in Delhi), but is steadily improving. He will be ready when he is ready, and he knows when he is ready to play,” said Simmons on Team Icon.
