The countdown to one of the IPL's fiercest rivalries is on, but the buzz around the Chennai Super Kings vs. Mumbai Indians clash is as much about who won't be playing as who will. With the match set for Saturday at Chepauk, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown cold water on hopes of an MS Dhoni comeback, despite recent optimism from the CSK camp.

Dhoni has been sidelined all season with a calf injury, and fans were dreaming of seeing the legendary finisher in action for this blockbuster fixture. CSK batting coach Michael Hussey had fueled those hopes by saying Dhoni was "pretty close" to returning. But Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, isn't buying it. "I don't know about Rohit Sharma, but Dhoni won't play 100 percent, I don't think so," Ashwin said. "He can surprise as well because he's that kind of guy, but I don't think Dhoni will play."

The injury list doesn't end there. Ashwin also predicts that Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma, nursing a hamstring issue, will likely sit out. But in a silver lining, Ashwin believes the Chepauk pitch could be a perfect stage for a struggling Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover his touch. "He'll not get a better wicket for batting," Ashwin added, highlighting how the surface could offer the MI star a golden chance to regain form.

Beyond the injury updates, Ashwin turned his attention to CSK's batting lineup. With opener Ayush Mhatre ruled out for the season, Ashwin has a clear message for the Super Kings: lock Sarfaraz Khan at No. 3. "Don't keep him in impact because he has been your best batter this season apart from Sanju Samson," Ashwin urged. "Fix him at No. 3." It's a call for stability in a lineup that could use a consistent anchor, especially with Sarfaraz emerging as one of CSK's standout performers this year.