CSK faces a crucial clash against PBKS with Dhoni absent.
PBKS opts to bowl first, leveraging the dew factor at Chepauk.
Ruturaj Gaikwad must lead CSK's batting in Dhoni's absence.
The electric Chepauk crowd could sway the match in CSK's favor.
A win today could reignite CSK's playoff hopes in IPL 2026.