Chennai Super Kings The head coach Stephen Fleming remains optimistic about Dewald Brews‘ return, stressing that the team has taken a cautious approach to his recovery and is targeting his availability for the next game. Bruce has been ruled out of the first three matches of IPL 2026 due to a side strain, a setback that damaged CSK’s balance earlier in the season. However, with a five-day break before their next match against Delhi Capitals on April 11 in Chennai, Fleming is hopeful that the young batsman will be ready. “We hope he is. [Dewald Brevis] Going to be right for the next game. We have five days left between the next match. We’ve been conservative, and hopefully the next five days go as we’ve planned, and he’s ready to go. It’s a big loss, but we’re looking forward to having him back,” Fleming said. CSK have certainly felt his absence, losing their opening three matches. Brews, who joined the franchise as a substitute in IPL 2025, emerged as a rare positive in an otherwise disappointing campaign, scoring 225 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 180, including 17 sixes. The franchise retained him for this season, with plans to include him in the middle order once he is fully fit. Signs of progress are already visible. Ahead of the clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Bruce spent time batting in the nets and suffered a throw-down from assistant coach Rajeev Kumar, suggesting that his comeback may not be far off. Fleming also reflected on CSK’s latest defeat, where a strong start slipped away in the final overs. He identified. Tim David’s explosive finish as a crucial milestone that put the game out of their reach. “The real turning point was Tim David at the back end, which he did in the final five overs,” Fleming told reporters. David’s unbeaten 70 off 25 balls helped RCB to 250 for 3, with Devdutt Padikal and the captain contributing effectively. Rajat Patidar. Fleming felt that CSK had chances earlier in the innings but failed to capitalize, eventually losing control at the death – a phase that also affected their approach with the bat. “A few good things early on, we created a few chances, unfortunately we couldn’t get two more wickets for our efforts, and then we waited, and then unfortunately just lost our form at the back, it was a good wicket, and I think if we had held our nerve and played a bit better, we would have had 210 runs in 210 sp. But we just had a bit of a shock and that went into the early parts of the batting as well.” Knocks down despite the fight. Sarfraz KhanPrashant Vir and Jamie Overton, CSK were all out for 207, slipping to their third straight defeat. With Bruce nearing his return and having learned from their recent failures, CSK will look to reset quickly when they take the field next.
