R Ashwin is among the players Chennai Super Kings can release before IPL 2026. The franchise spent a huge sum on the senior spinner but he hasn't been able to live up to the expectations. Ashwin has only managed 5 wickets in 7 matches.

MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl first for Chennai Super Kings. Rarely do Chennai Super Kings visit Royal Challengers Bengaluru with such low stakes. Just last May at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium,

The two teams have met each other 34 times in the history of the IPL and Chennai Super Kings have the upper hand in this rivalry. However, the last time the two teams met each other, earlier in IPL 2025 in Chennai,