Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have been dealt an early setback in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, with young star Dewald Brevis missing their clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR).
RR vs CSK: Why Dewald Brevis is not playing today’s match?
The South African batter was ruled out after suffering a side strain during a training session in the lead-up to the match in Guwahati. It’s an unfortunate blow for both Brevis and CSK, especially considering the excitement around his inclusion in the squad this season.
According to reports from the team camp, the injury occurred during routine practice, raising immediate concerns among the support staff. Head coach Stephen Fleming later confirmed that Brevis would not be available for selection and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
While the franchise has not provided an exact recovery timeline, there is optimism that the injury is not too serious. However, side strains can be tricky, often requiring careful management to avoid aggravation. For now, CSK are taking a cautious approach, prioritizing Brevis’ long-term fitness over a rushed return.
The youngster’s absence is particularly disappointing given his aggressive batting style and ability to shift momentum in the middle overs – qualities CSK were hoping to utilize early in the tournament.
Injury woes mount for CSK
Brevis’ injury adds to a growing list of concerns for CSK, who are already dealing with multiple fitness issues at the start of their campaign.
New Zealand pacer Nathan Ellis has been ruled out of the entire tournament, leaving a gap in the pace department. Meanwhile, veteran skipper MS Dhoni is also unavailable for the first couple of weeks due to a calf strain, further complicating team combinations.
With key players missing, CSK now face the challenge of reshuffling their lineup and finding the right balance. The absence of Brevis not only reduces their batting depth but also limits their flexibility in the middle order.
Despite these setbacks, CSK have a reputation for adapting under pressure. The team management will be hoping that their experienced core can step up while younger players seize the opportunity to make an impact.
RR vs CSK: Playing of both teams
Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Matthew Short, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Matt Henry, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed
Rajasthan Royals: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag (c), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Sandeep Sharma, Ravi Bishnoi, Brijesh Sharma
Impact substitutes for both teams
Chennai Super Kings Impact subs: Sarfaraz Khan, Prashant Veer, Rahul Chahar, Gurjapneet Singh, Ramakrishna Ghosh
Rajasthan Royals Impact subs: Donovan Ferreira, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ravi Singh, Sushant Mishra, Tushar Deshpande
Also READ: RR vs CSK, IPL 2026 – Barsapara Stadium Pitch Report and Guwahati Weather Forecast
