MS Dhoni missing the CSK's opening IPL 2026 clash was never going to go unnoticed and while loss against RR in Guwahati was an opportunity to witness CSK sans a finisher, it made sure that the yellow brigade missed the calmness, control, and the game awareness MS brought to the team. 19.4 overs, 127 runs all out! This is all you get from the Chennai Super Kings' first game in IPL 2026 after a horrible beginning as they were down and out at 41-4 inside the power play and RR chased down the total within just 12.1 overs, losing only a couple of wickets. It was a one-sided affair. MS Dhoni had been ruled out for a calf strain and is expected to be out of action for the first couple of weeks of the tournament. The absence of his presence was clearly visible in the team, and their innings was going downhill right from the beginning. Problem 1: Top Order Collapse Hurt CSK Immensely The primary reason for CSK's poor outing was the pathetic display of their top order. All the main batters of CSK were sent packing back to the pavilion within the initial six overs of the game putting the team under immense pressure in the power play and once wickets began to fall rapidly there was never a fightback. Middle order players like Jamie Overton, who scored 43, provided a bit of stability but in the end, all went in vain as CSK never seemed like reaching a respectable total. Also Read | IPL 2026: Did CSK Make a Big Mistake Trading Ravindra Jadeja to RR? Problem 2: Batting Line-Up Lacked Structure and Direction It seemed like the CSK batting line-up was all over the place in Dhoni's absence. There were no structures and directions post the initial collapse, and batsmen seemed to get dismissed without trying to build any partnership, falling all the time while trying to go big in search of runs. The scoreboard proves the story that it wasn't about chasing down just 15-20 runs but about getting into a winning situation from the powerplay itself which they failed to do so. Problem 3: Dhoni's Batting Role is More Limited Now While most CSK fans will scream about the loss due to Dhoni's absence as a batter but frankly speaking, that is only half true. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter has been given more of a role as a finisher for short bursts off late. He played all the games for CSK in IPL 2025 and had managed only 196 runs, with CSK finishing at the bottom of the table, while in IPL 2024 he scored 161 runs at a stupendous strike rate of 220.54 mostly in a very small number of balls. He scored 104 runs with a strike rate above 180 in IPL 2023. This clearly indicates that his role is more of a quick-fire puncher now than the guy who can rescue an innings from 30-3. Expecting anything more from the 42-year-old would be unfair now. Also Read | Watch: Rohit Sharma’s Bat Gets Stuck During Inspection Before 78 vs KKR Problem 4: Field and Bowling lacked control Where MS Dhoni was truly missed was behind the stumps and in setting fields. Rajasthan batters eased past the total and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi brought up his fifty off just 15 balls. His presence behind the stumps, not only in the form of stumpings but also in his brilliant field setting and ball guidance, which he controls from behind the stumps was truly missed. Big picture: More Than Just Dhoni's Absence Well yes, the team missed MS Dhoni's presence but I believe it was the presence of the leader on the field more than that of a finisher with the bat. The top order collapse was the main reason for the team's miserable performance and even if MS Dhoni was present on the field the chase of 127 runs would have been very tough for CSK. The loss against RR proved that the yellow brigade needs to sort out its batting issues as early as possible if they are serious about reaching the playoffs of IPL 2026.