The Chennai Super Kings campaign has been hit with back-to-back injury blows as young star Dewald Brevis has been ruled out for their IPL 2026 opening game against the Rajasthan Royals.

According to the CSK head coach stephen Fleming has suffered a side strain during a training session and will not be available for selection for the monday’s game.

Earlier, MS Dhoni was ruled out for the first two weeks of the IPL 2026 season due to a calf injury.

After Stephen Fleming’s statement, CSK shared a post on X to provide an official statement.

“Dewald Brevis is undergoing rehab for a side injury and will miss tomorrow’s game. Wishing him a speedy recovery!” CSK tweeted.

In his absence, Sarfaraz Khan could get a spot in the CSK’s playing 11 who joined CSK for INR 75 lakhs in the IPL 2026 auction.

Dewald Brevis who joined CSK during IPL 2025 as a replacement for injured Gurjapneet Singh played six games and scored 225 runs with the help of two half centuries.

He impressed with his attacking brand of cricket in the IPL last year after went unsold during the IPL 2024 mega auction.

CSK has signed eight overseas player, but Brevis is the only specialist batter. Meanwhile, they have two overseas pacers in Matt Henry and Spencer Johnson, three overseas all-rounderr Matt Short, Jamie Overton and Zak Foulkes and two overseas spinners in Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad.

CSK has been missing the services of fast bowler Nathan Ellis, who has been ruled out of the entire season and MS Dhoni is likely to miss the first two week of calf strain.

Spencer Johnson who is working his way back from injury himself, will likely to link up with franchise around April 21-23.

CSK finished in the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table which is the first time to end their campaign in the IPL history.

In the absence of MS Dhoni and Brevis, Karthik Sharma, Prashant Veer and Sarfaraz Khan might have options to feature in the CSK’s playing 11.

CSK will play their opener match against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati.