IPL 2019: Out with back spasm, Dhoni not leading CSK for 1st time since 2010

This is only the fourth time Dhoni is not playing for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League history

After 9 long years, Indian veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni missed an IPL match as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper. Struggling with a back spasm, Dhoni was rested for the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Wednesday night. In his absence, Suresh Raina was handed over the captaincy for the away game at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The decision to rest the veteran was a precautionary measure. “Dhoni wanted to take some rest, he'll be back in the next game,” Raina said at the toss. The two-time World Cup winning captain had suffered the injury against Kolkata Knight Riders and after that game, Dhoni had said, “It's a little tight right now but hopefully, it will get better”. Ahead of the match, Dhoni was seen warming up by playing some football before Raina walked out for the toss. This is only the fourth time Dhoni is not playing for Chennai Super Kings in the cash-rich league. He has been in good form for Chennai Super Kings in the 2019 IPL, leading the team's run chart with 230 runs from eight matches, including two fifties. CSK, who have won seven out of their eight matches in this Indian Premier League so far, need another win to secure a play-off berth. On the other hand, SRH have lost four matches already this season and entered this game on the back of three successive losses.