NEW DELHI: The chant of “Dhoni, when?” has followed every Chennai Super Kings appearance this season. Supporters keep asking how soon MS Dhoni will return, when he will be fit enough to play his next match, and exactly when he will don the CSK jersey again. For now, the answers remain elusive as the former captain continues to sit out with a calf problem, despite being ruled out for a fortnight ahead of the campaign’s opening fixture.
Dhoni’s absence has been one of the major talking points, but the spotlight at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai was on skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad as he walked out for the toss in front of a packed crowd. Fans were specifically looking for any update on the veteran’s comeback as the season’s game began to take shape.
CSK vs Delhi: toss and team talk
- Delhi Capitals won the toss, with captain Axar Patel opting to bowl first after deciding the surface looked suitable for batting but preferring to chase a target.
- Axar explained that the franchise approach in the tournament is to stay calm in the dressing room, focus on controllables, and avoid overthinking as the match progresses.
- Axar also described the likely nature of the pitch at Chennai, pointing out it should offer bounce as it is a red-soil wicket, and said Delhi’s aim was to keep CSK’s total as low as possible before going after it.
- With Axar confirming their XI changes, he noted that Auqib Nabi came into the lineup in place of Vipraj, and Ashutosh Sharma replaced Nitish Rana.
- When Ruturaj took the mic, CSK supporters responded with a loud roar, setting the tone for the occasion.
- Ruturaj acknowledged the wicket looked slightly drier and said CSK were split on the toss decision, but felt confident about backing themselves to secure their first win and move up the points table.
- He stated CSK have been improving across departments, with particular emphasis that while the batting has been strong, the team needs to convert more key moments.
- Ruturaj highlighted that the side is well balanced and expressed excitement over Brevis returning to the group, adding that the middle order also looks stable.
- He further revealed that Gurjapneet Singh has been included, replacing Matt Edwards, after recent bowling form.
- On the Dhoni question, Ruturaj said MS Dhoni is at the hotel watching and supporting the team, but suggested that supporters would see him back on the field “very soon.”
Playing XIs and impact substitutes
Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Sanju Samson (w), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Khaleel Ahmed.
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul (w), Sameer Rizvi, Axar Patel (c), David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Auqib Nabi, Lungi Ngidi, Kuldeep Yadav, T Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar.
Impact substitutes — Delhi Capitals: Vipraj Nigam, Ashutosh Sharma, Karun Nair, Dushmantha Chameera, Nitish Rana.
Impact substitutes — Chennai Super Kings: Matthew Short, Akeal Hosein, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Matt Henry.
The season continues to revolve around Dhoni’s fitness updates, but at the MA Chidambaram Stadium the immediate focus is on how CSK respond with a balanced XI—while Delhi’s plan, as laid out at the toss, is to bowl first, restrict the total, and chase with composure.
