Dhoni is sidelined for the initial weeks of this season due to a calf strain.
“CSK boasts an impressive IPL record. Even without Dhoni, they don’t lose much strength as a team. They remain a formidable opponent. It’s going to be a tough match because they consistently present a solid challenge.
“Dhoni’s absence doesn’t change much about the team dynamic; it’s more about what the other players bring. I believe the crowd will be slightly less animated without him. His lack of presence might not be significantly impactful other than in terms of leadership. He has been batting for only around 5-10 balls in recent years,” he remarked.
Klaasen further noted that CSK has a strong batting lineup, and it’s crucial for bowlers to focus on delivering more dot balls against them.
“Shivam (Dubey) is in excellent form, their two openers (Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad) are both outstanding. We just need to apply more pressure on them.
As he prepares to bat in the middle order, the 34-year-old South African expressed his excitement about facing spin bowlers.
“I’ve played a lot of four-day cricket and have significant experience against spinners. I’m accustomed to dealing with turning balls.
“Having visited India over the last 5-6 years, I’ve gained valuable experience in handling spin. I also faced it early in my career in Sri Lanka. I’m fortunate to have developed the skills needed to tackle spin, though it remains a considerable challenge because they (spinners) are targeting me just as I’m going after them,” he shared.
This season, CSK and SRH will compete against each other twice, on April 18 and May 18, respectively. Klaasen is a vital asset for the Hyderabad team, retained for ₹23 crore by the franchise ahead of the mega auction in 2025.
(With PTI inputs)
First Published: Apr 7, 2026 5:39 PM IST
