India, March 30 -- MS Dhoni's absence was always going to hang over the Chennai Super Kings' first match of IPL 2026. But the defeat to the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati showed that this was not really a night to ask whether CSK missed a vintage finisher. It was a night that exposed how much they missed the control, order and calm that Dhoni still brings to the side. CSK were bowled out for 127 in 19.4 overs, slipped to 41 for 4 inside the powerplay, and then watched RR chase the target in just 12.1 overs for the loss of two wickets.

The scoreboard itself gives the first part of the answer. Dhoni was unavailable because of a calf strain that is expected to keep him out for the first two weeks of the season. In his absence, CSK's innings n...