Reports: MS Dhoni might not keep wickets for next game

Already dragging ahead with an injury-plagued lineup, the Chennai Super Kings were dealt a body blow during their previous game against the Kings XI Punjab, when captain MS Dhoni was seen battling with a back issue throughout his innings.

There are reports in The Hindu that the franchise might not risk playing him in their next game against the Rajasthan Royals, or, if they do field him, might play him purely as a batsman.

Dhoni was conspicuous by his absence in CSK's practice session on Wednesday, although the side were given a huge boost with the return of Suresh Raina, who is most likely to return to the playing XI after missing out on the previous game due to a calf injury.

It is being said that if Dhoni does manage to become match-fit he might give up his gloves. The side could then field N Jagadeesan as a keeper, or hand over the gloves to Ambati Rayudu. Rayudu has kept extensively for the Mumbai Indians in the past. Sam Billings is yet another option.

There hasn't been much chatter from the CSK tank on Dhoni's availability for the game against the Royals, although he was seen taking part in the net session on Thursday, along with a seemingly match-fit Suresh Raina.

Dhoni was in vintage form against the Punjab side in Mohali, scoring a blistering unbeaten 79 that turned out to be just short for the Super Kings, who lost the game by 4 runs.

The CSK side are already reeling from the absence of Kedar Jadhav, who was ruled out after playing the first game. Murali Vijay had to miss a couple of games as well. On top of that, all the home games featuring the Super Kings were shifted on short notice from Chennai to Pune, giving the franchise making a return to the IPL after a three-year gap a major headache to deal with.