Chennai Super Kings come into the Indian Premier League 2026 with a hunger to win a sixth IPL trophy. CSK – winners of the IPL in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023 – are well stocked. Besides being 5-time winners, CSK are also 5-time runners-up. CSK had a disappointing 2025 season and finished 10th. Now they need to fight their way back and get the basics right.
CSK come into the 19th edition of IPL as one of the favourites. Like every season, CSK are always in the mix as title contenders. It remains to be seen how they come up under the leadership of Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Before the IPL 2026 mini-auction, CSK traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in place of Rajasthan Royals’ Sanju Samson.
At the mini-auction, CSK roped in Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, and Zak Foulkes.
CSK, who had retained Nathan Ellis, lost the pacer due to an injury. Spencer Johnson has replaced him. However, the latter will miss the first four matches of the season.
CSK full squad
Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brewis, Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan, Urvil Patel, Anshul Kamboj, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Prashant Veer, Mathew William Short, Aman Khan, Zak Foulkes, Shivam Dube, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Spencer Johnson, Shreyas Gopal, Gurjapneet Singh, Akeal Hosein, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar.
CSK Retained Players List
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson (traded from Rajasthan Royals), Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis.
Players purchased by CSK at the mini-auction
Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes.
Who are the key players in CSK’s squad?
Sanju Samson: An IPL veteran and Rajasthan Royals ace, Samson, had a dream T20 World Cup campaign for India, where he shone in the latter stages. Samson is a massive player, and no wonder CSK went all out for him.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: CSK skipper Gaikwad needs to have a massive season. He is expected to lead the side from the front and deliver. A classy batter, Gaikwad owns 2502 runs from 71 matches at 30.35.
Dewald Brevis: Promising South African batter Brevis will be backed to be a powerful, dynamic player in CSK’s middle order. He is a clean hitter of the ball and will be backed to set the tempo.
Strengths of CSK Squad for IPL
Batting is a major strength of the CSK season, and they can count on what looks like a serious unit. Ayush Mhatre will be back to play fearless cricket upfront. Alongside him, you have the calm and composed Gaikwad.
Samson is likely to take up the number three position. He is a class act and has enjoyed a sound run of form. Brevis will be the crux of the middle order at four. CSK also have Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube to make things powerful. Legend MS Dhoni is expected to bat at number seven, and he would want to finish things.
CSK also have Urvil Patel in the mix as a top order batter. Matthew Short of Australia is another seasoned international. So one gets a bit of depth in terms of promise.
What makes this CSK side strong is that it’s not aged. One can find a bit of aggression, and there is a sound blend of young blood and experienced names.
Bowling is CSK’s major strength. Khaleel Ahmed leads the line in pace, and there are Mukesh Choudhary and Anshul Kamboj for support. Gurjapneet Singh is another interesting Indian pacer. In foreign ranks, Matt Henry provides comfort alongside Zak Foulkes. One also has Spencer Johnson and Jamie Overton in the ranks.
In spin, Rahul Chahar and Noor Ahmad are the leading spinners. One also gets a seasoned backup in Akeal Hosein. All-rounder Shreyas Gopal is also in the mix. Altogether, it’s a decent spin unit in the ranks. One gets the desired flexibility and support.
In terms of all-rounders, CSK got Shivam Dube alongside Short and Overton. So they can prepare a side as per the combinations.
Weaknesses of CSK
CSK are a bit inexperienced in some of their Indian core players, and there can be inconsistency and issues while handling pressure situations.
Dhoni’s role lacks clarity. It remains to be seen how he handles his presence. Dhoni needs to bat at least at seven. Of late, CSK tweaked his position, and he didn’t face the desired number of balls.
CSK are a bit dependent on Samson, Brevis and Dube besides skipper Gaikwad in terms of runs. If these players fail, the bench strength lacks proper bite.
CSK are pretty much a new side, barring a few players. So, lack of a settled XI and trial-and-error combinations can hurt them.
Death bowling can be an issue for CSK. And they will hope to find someone in their existing pace battery.
Probable XI of CSK
Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Matthew Short, MS Dhoni (wk), Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry.
Who can be CSK’s impact players?
With the Impact Player rule, teams can name five substitutes and use one of them when needed. If four foreign players are already named in the XI, the impact player can only be an Indian. CSK’s best balance is the above-mentioned starting XI owing to the resources. So if they bat first, Mhatre will fit in. And then during bowling, he could be replaced by someone like Chahar or Choudhary.
IPL 2026: CSK are a transition team
CSK 2026 feels like a transition team with exciting batting talent and decent balance, but is still searching for consistency. They can beat strong sides on their day, yet a lack of experience and reliable finishing could prevent them from being a dominant, title-favourite side this season.
FAQs about CSK Squad for IPL 2026
Who is the captain of CSK for IPL 2026?
Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the CSK side in IPL 2026.
When was CSK’s squad announced?
The Chennai Super Kings announced their full squad for the IPL 2026 season following the mini-auction on December 16, 2025.
Who are the new players in the squad?
Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, and Zak Foulkes were bought at the mini-auction. Spencer Johnson came in as a replacement for Nathan Ellis. Lastly, Sanju Samson was traded in.
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