Chennai Super Kings marked a somber tribute during their IPL 2026 clash against Mumbai Indians on Thursday, wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for the family of pacer Mukesh Choudhary. Mukesh’s mother, Prem Devi, passed away on Tuesday, April 21, prompting the franchise to extend condolences to his loved ones through its official channels. CSK also shared that the players would wear the armbands throughout the match in solidarity with Mukesh.
Quick facts
- Black armbands were worn by CSK players in the IPL 2026 match vs Mumbai Indians on Thursday.
- Tribute was for Mukesh Choudhary’s mother, Prem Devi, who died on Tuesday (April 21).
- CSK said the armbands were worn in solidarity with Mukesh.
- CSK also noted Mukesh had returned to his hometown in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, after the team’s game vs Sunrisers Hyderabad.
- Mukesh rejoined the squad and was named in the playing XI against MI.
- Earlier vs SRH, Mukesh took key wickets of Travis Head and Ishan Kishan, finishing with 2/21.
“This one is for Mukesh’s mother. In her memory and in solidarity with Mukesh, we wear black armbands and play with a little more in our hearts today,” the franchise posted on X, underlining the emotional weight of the moment. The gesture served as a reminder that cricket, even in the high-pressure IPL, often carries personal stories with it into the spotlight.
Reports also pointed to Mukesh travelling back to Bhilwara in Rajasthan after CSK’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday. He completed the final rites with the support of his elder brother, before returning to the group ahead of the MI fixture. For Thursday’s game, Mukesh was included in the playing XI, ready to take his place despite the disruption.
Although he has not featured heavily in the current season, Mukesh made an impact in that earlier SRH encounter. He struck when it mattered, removing Travis Head and Ishan Kishan to finish with figures of 2/21. It was another example of how his spells can change the tempo, especially with the new ball.
CSK’s thinking around him is closely tied to the way he brings the ball into play. His most valuable asset is shaping deliveries right from the start—particularly as a natural outswinger against right-handed batters. He looks to hit the corridor consistently, aiming to draw batters forward and force them into shots that feel less comfortable. For CSK, that control matters as much as headline wickets, because building pressure often leads to the breakthroughs later.
Beyond Mukesh’s return, CSK’s broader season narrative has carried uncertainty. Under Ruturaj Gaikwad’s captaincy, the side has struggled to settle through a transitional phase, and their usual identity has not always surfaced cleanly in matches. Adding to that, MS Dhoni has also been sidelined by injury and is currently in recovery, with a return expected soon.
In Dhoni’s absence, Gaikwad has faced a leadership and tactical gap that someone of Dhoni’s experience typically helps cover. Results have swung from game to game, and CSK have not been able to build sustained momentum. Even with Gaikwad showing flashes of promise, his batting has been below the mark at times, and the performances from the top and middle order have lacked consistency.
Another recurring issue has been how the innings has slowed in the middle overs, leaving too much work—and too much risk—to the death overs. That pattern has made the finishing phase more demanding than it needs to be, and it has contributed to the difficulty of turning good starts into big totals or defendable scores.
CSK’s batting balance has also been under scrutiny with Sanju Samson, who came into the mix via a trade ahead of the auction, proving to be a mixed influence. In some matches, he has looked set early only to fail to convert those starts, while in others he has struggled from the very first deliveries. The opener’s inconsistency remains a key talking point as CSK look for more stable momentum in upcoming games.
