RR vs CSK: What Is Chennai Super Kings’s Report Card When Mahendra Singh Dhoni Is Not Playing?

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RR vs CSK: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)'s match, which is currently underway at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, is a landmark moment in the history of IPL. It is the first time in the history of the tournament that CSK are not playing without their talismanic captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Besides Dhoni, the list of absentees also includes Ravindra Jadeja, who switched sides to play for the Rajasthan Royals.

While Dhoni and Raina were with CSK from the first day, Jadeja came in during the initial years and made himself as important as the former two. Raina retired from IPL in September 2022, and either Dhoni or Jadeja were part of CSK's 11 for every match since.

Before IPL 2026, Jadeja switched allegiances to Rajasthan Royals, in a high-profile trade that involved Sanju Samson coming the other way to Chennai. Dhoni was still around for this season, but the former skipper has suffered a calf injury, which would keep him out of at least the first two weeks of the season.

CSK's Report Card Without Mahendra Singh Dhoni

So far, the Chennai Super Kings have played just one match against Delhi in 2010, which they won. However, apart from that, the five-time champions have

• vs DD, Delhi 2010 (Won)
• vs KXIP, Chennai 2010 (Lost)
• vs RCB, Bengaluru 2010 (Lost)
• vs SRH, Hyderabad 2019 (Lost)
• vs MI, Chennai 2019 (Lost)
• vs RR, Guwahati, 2026 (TBD)

RR vs CSK: What Happened In The First Innings?

The Rajasthan Royals produced a commanding bowling display in Guwahati, dismantling the Chennai Super Kings for just 127 runs in 19.4 overs after opting to field. Led by captain Riyan Parag, RR's pace attack, featuring Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger, ripped through CSK's top order, reducing them to a shaky 57/6 inside the first eight overs. The collapse saw key wickets fall cheaply, including skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, who was up against his former side in CSK colours for the first time.

Ravindra Jadeja also made an impact against his old franchise, striking twice early to deepen CSK's troubles. The innings was steadied slightly by a resilient 43 from Jamie Overton, who tried to rebuild alongside Kartik Sharma, but consistent pressure from RR's disciplined attack ensured the run rate never accelerated. Supported by tight spells from Brijesh Sharma and Ravi Bishnoi, the Royals eventually wrapped up the innings when Overton was run out in the final over, setting a modest target of 128 at a required rate of 6.4.