First Time In IPL History: MS Dhoni Misses All League Games For CSK
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have handed opportunities to Gurjapneet Singh and Matthew Short as captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and elected to bowl first against Gujarat Titans (GT)
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have handed opportunities to Gurjapneet Singh and Matthew Short as captain Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss and elected to bowl first against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Match 66 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. CSK head into their final league game knowing that a defeat will shut the door on their playoff hopes. Injuries have plagued their campaign, leaving them clinging to slim mathematical chances of entering the last-four stage. This is the first time in the history of the IPL that Dhoni has missed all league-stage matches.
Though a victory here will not guarantee them a top-four berth, CSK have to be dependent on other results going in their favour. After winning the toss, Gaikwad said Gurjapneet and Short are included in place of Akeal Hosein and Prashant Veer.
"There will be some pace and bounce, and we want to explore it early on. It is about trusting the process, and we didn't get the results our way. We want to keep it simple and turn it around," he said.
GT, meanwhile, will be keen to arrest any slide in momentum ahead of the playoffs, and a win over CSK would also strengthen their push for a top-two finish. Skipper Shubman Gill said pacer Prasidh Krishna replaces R Sai Kishore in their playing eleven for the GT bowling innings.
"We'd have bowled first. It doesn't make a difference as there's not much dew. It's all about keeping the intensity up. Our fielding hasn't been on par in the last couple of seasons.
"Our bowling has been right up there, and batting has been good too. All three departments need to come together. Just because we have a Q doesn't mean the job is done. Hopefully, three more good games," he said.
The pitch report by Graeme Swann and Aaron Finch said Thursday's game will be played on a red-soil pitch, with square boundaries at 62 and 70 metres respectively, while the straight boundary is at 72 metres. Both opined that the pitch having green grass suggests it will hold enough pace in what is expected to be a good batting wicket.
MS Dhoni
Chennai Super Kings