×

Dhoni ‘on the road to recovery’; no urgency to have replacement for Mhatre at No. 3, says CSK coach Fleming

If the ploy works out, Prasidh Krishna, GT’s highest wicket-taker thus far with 12, will be delighted to hit the deck against the likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Dewald Brevis, who have failed to convert their promising starts into big scores, in the middle overs.

“Nothing wrong with Brevis,” CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said on the eve of the game, before adding, “It’s obviously a more aggressive game that everyone is playing, so you’re going to get times where there are going to be starts, and then you get out. The role of the finisher is still important, but it’s not the traditional model that you build up to 16 (overs), and then you have someone like MS (Dhoni) come in and blaze it.”

Incidentally, Dhoni, out with a calf strain, faced throwdowns once again on Saturday, albeit in short bursts of about five minutes each.

Middle-order woes

GT’s middle-order, in the meantime, has caused its management a persistent headache. In fact, if batting positions between five and eight are considered, the 2022 winner has the second-worst average runs per wicket (19.18).

With CSK’s bowling attack, featuring Purple Cap holder Anshul Kamboj (14 wickets at an average of 15.78), having impressed of late, GT’s top three—Gill, B. Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler—would be under immense pressure to face a substantial amount of deliveries.

The track, predominantly black-soil, will be expected to grip and turn as the game wears on. With dew not playing a part, the team winning the toss should look to defend its total.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#CSK #IPL #Chennai #Super #Kings #Gujarat #Titans #clash #hopes #boosting #playoff #bid"> CSK vs GT, IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans clash in hopes of boosting playoff bid Former champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT), seven games in, are stuck in the Indian Premier League’s mid-table traffic with identical report cards: three wins, four losses, and six points. A nervous glance upward and one would know Punjab Kings (13 points), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (10), and Rajasthan Royals (10) aren’t courteously waiting around.Chepauk’s afternoon fixture was originally scheduled to be played on May 21. But a swap of the reverse fixture had to be forced in view of the municipal corporation elections in some parts of Gujarat on Sunday. If the Titans could, they would have opted for a swap of the overall Net Run Rate (NRR) as well—CSK’s +0.118 has kept it afloat at fifth; GT is seventh with -0.790.To add to Shubman Gill’s woes, CSK enters the contest with enormous momentum, having dismantled archrival Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. The 103-run margin made it to the record books of both franchises. CSK would remember the game as its biggest victory by runs, while MI would want to forget its heaviest loss ever.The Samson factorSanju Samson, fresh off his second hundred this season, will be especially threatening at the top. His spin-bashing abilities, however, will be put to the test with the sensational Rashid Khan operating during the middle overs of a baking surface at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.GT, blessed with a sensational bowling lineup, would, however, look to rip through CSK’s top order within the PowerPlay itself with Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj sharing the new ball. The duo has a combined tally of 17 wickets. Moreover, in the first six overs, the Titans have conceded only 9.23 runs every six balls. The said rate is only higher than that of Lucknow Super Giants (7.85) and RR (8.35).ALSO READ | Dhoni ‘on the road to recovery’; no urgency to have replacement for Mhatre at No. 3, says CSK coach FlemingIf the ploy works out, Prasidh Krishna, GT’s highest wicket-taker thus far with 12, will be delighted to hit the deck against the likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Dewald Brevis, who have failed to convert their promising starts into big scores, in the middle overs.“Nothing wrong with Brevis,” CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said on the eve of the game, before adding, “It’s obviously a more aggressive game that everyone is playing, so you’re going to get times where there are going to be starts, and then you get out. The role of the finisher is still important, but it’s not the traditional model that you build up to 16 (overs), and then you have someone like MS (Dhoni) come in and blaze it.”Incidentally, Dhoni, out with a calf strain, faced throwdowns once again on Saturday, albeit in short bursts of about five minutes each.Middle-order woesGT’s middle-order, in the meantime, has caused its management a persistent headache. In fact, if batting positions between five and eight are considered, the 2022 winner has the second-worst average runs per wicket (19.18).With CSK’s bowling attack, featuring Purple Cap holder Anshul Kamboj (14 wickets at an average of 15.78), having impressed of late, GT’s top three—Gill, B. Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler—would be under immense pressure to face a substantial amount of deliveries.The track, predominantly black-soil, will be expected to grip and turn as the game wears on. With dew not playing a part, the team winning the toss should look to defend its total.Published on Apr 25, 2026 #CSK #IPL #Chennai #Super #Kings #Gujarat #Titans #clash #hopes #boosting #playoff #bid
Sports news

Dhoni ‘on the road to recovery’; no urgency to have replacement for Mhatre at No. 3, says CSK coach Fleming

If the ploy works out, Prasidh Krishna, GT’s highest wicket-taker thus far with 12, will be delighted to hit the deck against the likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Dewald Brevis, who have failed to convert their promising starts into big scores, in the middle overs.

“Nothing wrong with Brevis,” CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said on the eve of the game, before adding, “It’s obviously a more aggressive game that everyone is playing, so you’re going to get times where there are going to be starts, and then you get out. The role of the finisher is still important, but it’s not the traditional model that you build up to 16 (overs), and then you have someone like MS (Dhoni) come in and blaze it.”

Incidentally, Dhoni, out with a calf strain, faced throwdowns once again on Saturday, albeit in short bursts of about five minutes each.

Middle-order woes

GT’s middle-order, in the meantime, has caused its management a persistent headache. In fact, if batting positions between five and eight are considered, the 2022 winner has the second-worst average runs per wicket (19.18).

With CSK’s bowling attack, featuring Purple Cap holder Anshul Kamboj (14 wickets at an average of 15.78), having impressed of late, GT’s top three—Gill, B. Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler—would be under immense pressure to face a substantial amount of deliveries.

The track, predominantly black-soil, will be expected to grip and turn as the game wears on. With dew not playing a part, the team winning the toss should look to defend its total.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#CSK #IPL #Chennai #Super #Kings #Gujarat #Titans #clash #hopes #boosting #playoff #bid">CSK vs GT, IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans clash in hopes of boosting playoff bid

Former champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT), seven games in, are stuck in the Indian Premier League’s mid-table traffic with identical report cards: three wins, four losses, and six points. A nervous glance upward and one would know Punjab Kings (13 points), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (10), and Rajasthan Royals (10) aren’t courteously waiting around.

Chepauk’s afternoon fixture was originally scheduled to be played on May 21. But a swap of the reverse fixture had to be forced in view of the municipal corporation elections in some parts of Gujarat on Sunday. If the Titans could, they would have opted for a swap of the overall Net Run Rate (NRR) as well—CSK’s +0.118 has kept it afloat at fifth; GT is seventh with -0.790.

To add to Shubman Gill’s woes, CSK enters the contest with enormous momentum, having dismantled archrival Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. The 103-run margin made it to the record books of both franchises. CSK would remember the game as its biggest victory by runs, while MI would want to forget its heaviest loss ever.

The Samson factor

Sanju Samson, fresh off his second hundred this season, will be especially threatening at the top. His spin-bashing abilities, however, will be put to the test with the sensational Rashid Khan operating during the middle overs of a baking surface at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.

GT, blessed with a sensational bowling lineup, would, however, look to rip through CSK’s top order within the PowerPlay itself with Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj sharing the new ball. The duo has a combined tally of 17 wickets. Moreover, in the first six overs, the Titans have conceded only 9.23 runs every six balls. The said rate is only higher than that of Lucknow Super Giants (7.85) and RR (8.35).

ALSO READ | Dhoni ‘on the road to recovery’; no urgency to have replacement for Mhatre at No. 3, says CSK coach Fleming

If the ploy works out, Prasidh Krishna, GT’s highest wicket-taker thus far with 12, will be delighted to hit the deck against the likes of Sarfaraz Khan and Dewald Brevis, who have failed to convert their promising starts into big scores, in the middle overs.

“Nothing wrong with Brevis,” CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said on the eve of the game, before adding, “It’s obviously a more aggressive game that everyone is playing, so you’re going to get times where there are going to be starts, and then you get out. The role of the finisher is still important, but it’s not the traditional model that you build up to 16 (overs), and then you have someone like MS (Dhoni) come in and blaze it.”

Incidentally, Dhoni, out with a calf strain, faced throwdowns once again on Saturday, albeit in short bursts of about five minutes each.

Middle-order woes

GT’s middle-order, in the meantime, has caused its management a persistent headache. In fact, if batting positions between five and eight are considered, the 2022 winner has the second-worst average runs per wicket (19.18).

With CSK’s bowling attack, featuring Purple Cap holder Anshul Kamboj (14 wickets at an average of 15.78), having impressed of late, GT’s top three—Gill, B. Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler—would be under immense pressure to face a substantial amount of deliveries.

The track, predominantly black-soil, will be expected to grip and turn as the game wears on. With dew not playing a part, the team winning the toss should look to defend its total.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#CSK #IPL #Chennai #Super #Kings #Gujarat #Titans #clash #hopes #boosting #playoff #bid

Former champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT), seven games in, are stuck…

IPL 2026: Remodelled action, greater control — How Ravi Bishnoi has found a fresh start in IPL at Rajasthan Royals

CSK, fifth, is not where it would ideally want to be at this stage of the competition. With three wins, four losses, and six points from seven games, it is anybody’s guess that skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s form—currently averaging 14.86 with the bat—and captaincy skills have become a major talking point.

Fleming, however, isn’t the least bit concerned. “(For) Rutu, I have nothing but support. He’s a quality player and a young captain who’s working himself into the role and doing a good job. I know he’s getting a lot of heat from outside, but within, he’s got a lot of support, and he’s very well respected within the side. That will continue,” he said.

Although the match will be played on a wicket almost equidistant from either of the square boundaries, Fleming feels the batters don’t have much to worry about, given how the T20 format has evolved to favour their kind.

He said, “My understanding is the wicket is pretty much in the middle tomorrow, and the sides are some of the longer boundaries in the competition. We’re aware that we’ve got a little bit more distance to work with. But the power of the batters these days… It’s still not long enough.”

GT, having played a game at Bengaluru the previous night, didn’t host a press conference.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#IPL #Dhoni #road #recovery #urgency #replacement #Mhatre #CSK #coach #Fleming"> IPL 2026: Dhoni ‘on the road to recovery’, no urgency to have replacement for Mhatre at No. 3, says CSK coach Fleming It seems home fans would have to wait longer for the much-anticipated return of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) talisman Mahendra Singh Dhoni.“He’s progressing well. He’s on the road to recovery and doing everything that’s being asked of him,” head coach Stephen Fleming informed the media on Saturday ahead of the game against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. The wicketkeeper-batter is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain.Ayush Mhatre, who had been chipping in with valuable runs at No. 3, also picked up a hamstring injury during the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18 and has since been ruled out of the tournament.While Urvil Patel could be considered a potential candidate to take up the India Under-19 captain’s role in the eleven, Fleming feels CSK is doing just fine. “Urvil Patel, who’s still itching to get a game, is quality as well. I know there’s been some commentary around him. But we’re lucky to have some quality aggressive players at the top, so the urgency to get a replacement is not necessarily there. We are looking, but we just don’t need to rush that at this point.”Sarfaraz Khan had been promoted to No. 3 in CSK’s last fixture against Mumbai Indians.ALSO READ | IPL 2026: Remodelled action, greater control — How Ravi Bishnoi has found a fresh start in IPL at Rajasthan RoyalsCSK, fifth, is not where it would ideally want to be at this stage of the competition. With three wins, four losses, and six points from seven games, it is anybody’s guess that skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s form—currently averaging 14.86 with the bat—and captaincy skills have become a major talking point.Fleming, however, isn’t the least bit concerned. “(For) Rutu, I have nothing but support. He’s a quality player and a young captain who’s working himself into the role and doing a good job. I know he’s getting a lot of heat from outside, but within, he’s got a lot of support, and he’s very well respected within the side. That will continue,” he said.Although the match will be played on a wicket almost equidistant from either of the square boundaries, Fleming feels the batters don’t have much to worry about, given how the T20 format has evolved to favour their kind.He said, “My understanding is the wicket is pretty much in the middle tomorrow, and the sides are some of the longer boundaries in the competition. We’re aware that we’ve got a little bit more distance to work with. But the power of the batters these days… It’s still not long enough.”GT, having played a game at Bengaluru the previous night, didn’t host a press conference.Published on Apr 25, 2026 #IPL #Dhoni #road #recovery #urgency #replacement #Mhatre #CSK #coach #Fleming
Sports news

IPL 2026: Remodelled action, greater control — How Ravi Bishnoi has found a fresh start in IPL at Rajasthan Royals

CSK, fifth, is not where it would ideally want to be at this stage of the competition. With three wins, four losses, and six points from seven games, it is anybody’s guess that skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s form—currently averaging 14.86 with the bat—and captaincy skills have become a major talking point.

Fleming, however, isn’t the least bit concerned. “(For) Rutu, I have nothing but support. He’s a quality player and a young captain who’s working himself into the role and doing a good job. I know he’s getting a lot of heat from outside, but within, he’s got a lot of support, and he’s very well respected within the side. That will continue,” he said.

Although the match will be played on a wicket almost equidistant from either of the square boundaries, Fleming feels the batters don’t have much to worry about, given how the T20 format has evolved to favour their kind.

He said, “My understanding is the wicket is pretty much in the middle tomorrow, and the sides are some of the longer boundaries in the competition. We’re aware that we’ve got a little bit more distance to work with. But the power of the batters these days… It’s still not long enough.”

GT, having played a game at Bengaluru the previous night, didn’t host a press conference.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#IPL #Dhoni #road #recovery #urgency #replacement #Mhatre #CSK #coach #Fleming">IPL 2026: Dhoni ‘on the road to recovery’, no urgency to have replacement for Mhatre at No. 3, says CSK coach Fleming

It seems home fans would have to wait longer for the much-anticipated return of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) talisman Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“He’s progressing well. He’s on the road to recovery and doing everything that’s being asked of him,” head coach Stephen Fleming informed the media on Saturday ahead of the game against the Gujarat Titans (GT) at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. The wicketkeeper-batter is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a calf strain.

Ayush Mhatre, who had been chipping in with valuable runs at No. 3, also picked up a hamstring injury during the game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 18 and has since been ruled out of the tournament.

While Urvil Patel could be considered a potential candidate to take up the India Under-19 captain’s role in the eleven, Fleming feels CSK is doing just fine. “Urvil Patel, who’s still itching to get a game, is quality as well. I know there’s been some commentary around him. But we’re lucky to have some quality aggressive players at the top, so the urgency to get a replacement is not necessarily there. We are looking, but we just don’t need to rush that at this point.”

Sarfaraz Khan had been promoted to No. 3 in CSK’s last fixture against Mumbai Indians.

ALSO READ | IPL 2026: Remodelled action, greater control — How Ravi Bishnoi has found a fresh start in IPL at Rajasthan Royals

CSK, fifth, is not where it would ideally want to be at this stage of the competition. With three wins, four losses, and six points from seven games, it is anybody’s guess that skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s form—currently averaging 14.86 with the bat—and captaincy skills have become a major talking point.

Fleming, however, isn’t the least bit concerned. “(For) Rutu, I have nothing but support. He’s a quality player and a young captain who’s working himself into the role and doing a good job. I know he’s getting a lot of heat from outside, but within, he’s got a lot of support, and he’s very well respected within the side. That will continue,” he said.

Although the match will be played on a wicket almost equidistant from either of the square boundaries, Fleming feels the batters don’t have much to worry about, given how the T20 format has evolved to favour their kind.

He said, “My understanding is the wicket is pretty much in the middle tomorrow, and the sides are some of the longer boundaries in the competition. We’re aware that we’ve got a little bit more distance to work with. But the power of the batters these days… It’s still not long enough.”

GT, having played a game at Bengaluru the previous night, didn’t host a press conference.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#IPL #Dhoni #road #recovery #urgency #replacement #Mhatre #CSK #coach #Fleming

It seems home fans would have to wait longer for the much-anticipated return of Chennai…