IPL 2026 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Team Confirmed Playing 11
With Sanju Samson as the opening choice, explore the strongest predicted playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2026.
If we were to define a make-over year for the CSK team in the 19 years of the Indian Premier League, it has got to be IPL 2026. From being called Daddy’s army to Uncapped Merchants, the Chennai Super Kings team has come a long way. Never did anyone think Chennai Super Kings would have one of the youngest squads in the competition, and this is when MS Dhoni, the leader, is still playing.
The IPL years Mid 2025 and 2026 saw Chennai Super Kings investing in young and emerging players more than the experienced players. Who would have thought CSK would play in excess of 14 Cr to buy not just one, but two uncapped players in a single Auction? Not just this thing, most of their squad players are now filled with young players, who will bring tremendous energy to the team.
With such a shift in strategy, and two dull years (2024 & 2025) behind the CSK team, what combination they adopt for the playing 11 will be very interesting. So, with the full squad and team details in front of us, let’s analyse the complete squad list, and review the strongest playing 11 that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) shall deploy for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Complete Squad List for IPL 2026
Batters
- Ayush Mhatre
- Dewald Brevis (OS)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (C)
- Sarfaraz Khan
WKs
- MS Dhoni
- Sanju Samson
- Urvil Patel
- Kartik Sharma
All-rounders
- Anshul Kamboj
- Jamie Overton (OS)
- Shivam Dube
- Prashant Veer
- Matthew Short (OS)
- Aman Khan
- Zak Foulkes (OS)
Bowlers
- Gurjapneet Singh
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Mukesh Choudhary
- Nathan Ellis (OS)
- Noor Ahmad (OS)
- Ramkrishna Ghosh
- Shreyas Gopal
- Akeal Hosein (OS)
- Matt Henry (OS)
- Rahul Chahar
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Best Playing 11 Analyzed
If we start with the top order, which looks set, there could be a decision to be made on who opens the innings, and who plays at number 3. For the top order, CSK are almost sure to play Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson, and Ruturaj Gaikwad. While Ayush Mhatre is confirmed to open, one between Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to open alongside Ayush. But who opens the innings will be a key question.
Ideally, Sanju Samson is more potent to play as an opener, and similarly, Ruturaj Gaikwad is ideal to play for the number 3 position. With Sanju Samson opening alongside Ayush Mhatre, CSK get an explosive opening pair, and having someone like Ruturaj Gaikwad at 3 will give them a player who can control the innings, if wickets fall early, and continue the attacking role if CSK have a blistering start.
With a settled top order, the main question for CSK arises: who plays in the middle order? Ideally, CSK would want a strong batting core, which was lacking a bit last year. So, having someone like Matthew Short at 4 gives a rock-solid player in the middle order, and also someone who can roll his arm over for a couple of overs. Following Short, CSK can think of Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube in the finishing role. This is a solid top 5 for CSK, and the one that can take any attack from the opposition.
Focus on Strengthening the Batting
CSK also have young Kartik Sharma who can play at the number 4 position. However, if CSK play Kartik, they could be short of a sixth bowler, and then will have to rely fully on uncapped Prashant Veer for his 4 overs. So, even if CSK spent a fortune on Kartik Sharma, he will have to wait for his opportunity. But if CSK decide to play Kartik Sharma at 4, then they can as well play both Nathan Ellis and Matt Henry together, which will boost their bowling, but will keep CSK devoid of a sixth bowler.
Coming to the lower-order, CSK shall continue to have MS Dhoni at 7 or 8, with Prashant Veer getting more opportunities above MS Dhoni to hit a few in the death overs. Dhoni, as we have seen in the last few years, will only come to bat for a few balls, and let the other players have more game time. In addition to this solid top 8, the likes of Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, and Matt Henry can also fill in as required. They may not be competent batters, but for a few balls, they can come and whack a few.
Bowling Lineup
Now, talking about the bowling lineup, the CSK team shall continue with 3 pace and 2 spin combination, with Dube and Short pitching for a couple of overs, if required. For the pace bowling, CSK are likely to choose Nathan Ellis above Matt Henry, as he can be utilised more in the middle and death overs. Khaleel and Anshul are proper powerplay bowlers, so having Matt Henry above Nathan Ellis may not be that wise. With this strategy, CSK can straight away use Anshul Kamboj for 3 overs in the powerplay, with Khaleel Ahmed bowling 2 overs, Nathan Ellis bowling 1 over.
Supporting these three pacers, Noor Ahmad shall once again play a crucial role in the middle overs of being a wicket-taker. With 4 strong bowlers in place, Prashant Veer as the fifth bowler, won’t feel too much pressure. Prashant Veer can, for the first few matches, bowl with a lot of freedom in the middle overs. In case things aren’t going well with the fifth bowler, CSK can utilise Matthew Short or Shivam Dube for a couple of overs.
IPL 2026 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Squad Strongest Playing 11
- Ayush Mhatre
- Sanju Samson
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
- Matthew Short
- Dewald Brevis
- Shivam Dube
- MS Dhoni (wk)
- Prashant Veer
- Anshul Kamboj
- Noor Ahmad
- Nathan Ellis
- Khaleel Ahmed – Impact Player
So, that’s about the strongest playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2026. Overall, this is a solid playing 11, and the one that can bowl on all types of pitches. In case CSK need more spin in the side, they can play Rahul Chahar in place of Anshul Kamboj to have three spinners in the side. They can also utilise Akeal Hosein in place of Matthew Short, if at all they need a bowling all-rounder above a batting all-rounder.
Thanks for reading! What’s your strongest playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2026? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com
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