Like DC, CSK too are walking on a tightrope and if they slip on Tuesday night, it would ensure another premature exit from the tournament, having finished at the bottom last season.
The lack of runs from skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s bat cost them dearly in the first half of the season with Sanju Samson alone carrying the burden in a rather young looking batting line up.
But the captain has found a way to get back amongst the runs and goes into the DC game at the back of consecutive half-centuries.
Urvil Patel batting at number three ahead of Sarfaraz Khan after injured Aayush Mhatre’s pullout has been debated.
A 12-ball 14 in the win over Mumbai Indians would do wonders for Patel’s confidence. Same goes for Kartik Sharma, who struck his maiden IPL fifty on Saturday night.
Two of CSK’s four wins have come against a struggling Mumbai Indians while one was against DC at the Chepauk. Gaikwad and Co. would carry the confidence of that performance in the return leg.
DC vs CSK Live Score, IPL 2026: Will MS Dhoni play vs DC? CSK bowling coach’s blunt ‘above my pay grade’ reply goes viral
When will MS Dhoni play? Will he feature today? What is the status of his injury? These questions continue to dominate social media, with CSK fans eager to see their superstar in action. Dhoni is yet to play a game this season due to a calf injury, and the topic once again surfaced when Chennai Super Kings bowling coach Eric Simons addressed the media ahead of the IPL 2026 clash between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings.
Simons said Dhoni has not travelled for the away fixture against Delhi Capitals, though he is steadily improving.
More than half the season is done, with CSK set to play their 10th match in what has been an underwhelming campaign. As has been the case every season since his international retirement, there is intense speculation around the future of the 44-year-old Indian great in the IPL.
In the pre-match interaction, it was hardly surprising that the first question was on Dhoni, who has been batting in the nets recently.
“Update on MS Dhoni is way above my pay grade. He’s not with us (in Delhi), but steadily improving. He’ll be ready when he’s ready, and he knows when he’s ready to play,” that was all Simons had to say on the team icon.
