🏏IPL 2026: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings, M 11🏏 - Page 2

Why MS Dhoni will not play vs RCB?

Dhoni has been ruled out for the first two weeks due to a calf strain."MS Dhoni is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain. As a result, he is likely to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026. Get well soon, Thala," CSK shared on social media ahead of their opening match against Rajasthan Royals.Head coach Stephen Fleming had earlier made it clear that while Dhoni is not on the field, his presence is still strongly felt.

Young Ayush Mhatre lit up Chepauk with a 43-ball 73 against Punjab, but CSK need their senior players to step up, particularly given the inexperience in the middle order.

Samson, acquired in that blockbuster trade that saw Ravindra Jadeja move to the Rajasthan Royals, has yet to find his Pink City rhythm in yellow. Captain Ruturaj has also appeared tentative, with CSK’s untested middle order feeling the pressure.

The bowling has wilted too, showing signs of panic early in the season.

Chennai Super Kings’ bowling group enters the Chinnaswamy under immense psychological and tactical pressure.

Having failed to defend 210 in their previous outing, the unit looks shorn of its traditional discipline, particularly in the absence of MS Dhoni’s tactical micro-management. Matt Henry and Khaleel Ahmed have struggled for consistency, and against an RCB side that has beaten them in their last three encounters, the margin for error is non-existent.

CSK will need to apply pressure early on the RCB bowling unit, which showed signs of vulnerability against SunRisers Hyderabad. Their fifth bowler, Romario Shepherd, was taken to the cleaners—an area of concern that the Super Kings can exploit.

RCB’s batting unit appears daunting. At the top, Virat Kohli continues to set the tone with calculated authority, while Devdutt Padikkal’s fluency has injected early momentum. The result is a batting unit that no longer feels overly reliant on individual brilliance, instead functioning as a sustained collective threat.

The sheer violence of RCB’s batting display in their season opener against SunRisers Hyderabad has sent a tremor through the league’s bowling fraternity. Chasing a formidable 202, the defending champions completed the fastest 200-plus chase in IPL history, reaching the target in a staggering 15.4 overs. This sustained assault was spearheaded by a vintage Virat Kohli, whose unbeaten 69 off 38 balls anchored the chase.

However, it was Devdutt Padikkal’s blistering 61 off 26 deliveries—highlighted by a ruthless takedown of the SRH pace attack—that defined the innings. With captain Rajat Patidar adding a 12-ball 31 to maintain the frenetic scoring rate, RCB’s top order appears to be operating at a level of collective efficiency that makes any target look undersized.

TEAM NEWS: RCB vs CSK

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are unlikely to tinker with a winning combination, even though they return after a week’s break.

On the other hand, CSK need consistency in team selection. They must back their young Rs 14.2 crore signings, Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, even though the IPL has appeared a step too big for them so far.

After selecting Veer in the XI, CSK did not utilise the left-arm spinner at all against Punjab.

Having fielded only two overseas players against Punjab, CSK might consider someone like Akeal Hosein, the left-arm spinner from the Caribbean, to add bite in the powerplay.

But can they afford to play three spinners at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium?

The Chinnaswamy pitch remains a stroke-maker’s dream. While spinners might find a hint of grip in the first 10 overs, the true nature of the surface ensures that any score under 200 is effectively a losing one.
Winning the toss and bowling first remains the obvious choice.

There is no threat of rain. Expect a pleasant evening in Bengaluru.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWu7d32DUXB/

MS isn't even playing, but still, MS is everywhere.

Also, Brewis is fit, but let's see if they are gonna give him one more match rest or he will play today.

Most probably, Sanju-Ayush are gonna open today with Rutu at No.3.

https://x.com/cricbuzz/status/2040626340840534259

https://x.com/CricCrazyJohns/status/2040610174743048363

Originally posted by: PunnyPotato

MS isn't even playing, but still, MS is everywhere.

Also, Brewis is fit, but let's see if they are gonna give him one more match rest or he will play today.

Most probably, Sanju-Ayush are gonna open today with Rutu at No.3.

https://x.com/cricbuzz/status/2040626340840534259

https://x.com/CricCrazyJohns/status/2040610174743048363

I hope so!🤞

If they don’t start winning any time soon, it’ll be too late. It feels eerily like a repeat of last season

Originally posted by: PunnyPotato

MS isn't even playing, but still, MS is everywhere.

Also, Brewis is fit, but let's see if they are gonna give him one more match rest or he will play today.

Most probably, Sanju-Ayush are gonna open today with Rutu at No.3.

https://x.com/cricbuzz/status/2040626340840534259

https://x.com/CricCrazyJohns/status/2040610174743048363

Ms is not even travelling with the team I think...

They should try for Urvil nd Overton if they are not using Veer as bowler nd Brevish is not available for the game(heard he will come from Delhi wala game)