Published on: Mar 19, 2026 5:55 pm IST|Updated on: Mar 19, 2026 5:55 pm IST
One of the most successful IPL franchises with 5 titles in their kitty, Chennai Super Kings, would be hoping to revive their campaign after a dismal show in the last edition. The Super Kings, for the first time in IPL history, finished at the bottom of the points table in the 2025 edition, something you would never associate with one of the most decorated franchises in IPL history.
For years, CSK has been the beacon of IPL. Winning the title as many as 5 times, the Chennai Super Kings are often tipped as the favorites ahead of almost every IPL season. The expectations won’t be different ahead of this season as well. CSK fans are eager to see their team lift the elusive title for a record 6th time, and to make this possible, the Super Kings need to start strong with their best possible eleven. In this post, we have compiled the best possible eleven for the 5-time champions. Let’s take a look.
Last Season’s Finish: Tenth
The Chennai Super Kings made the biggest trade in IPL history ahead of the 2026 auctions. They traded Sanju Samson from Rajasthan Royals to solidify their batting unit. Fresh of the prestigious Player of the Tournament award in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Sanju’s stocks have risen and reached massive heights. He will be the new opener for CSK and will partner alongside the India U19 skipper Ayush Mhatre, who thoroughly impressed one and all in the limited opportunities he endured.
It was quite unfortunate that Ruturaj Gaikwad had to miss the last season after playing a game or two at the start due to injury. However, the skipper is back now, stronger and determined, and will be keen to get going right from the outset. He is perhaps the best choice for CSK to bat at no 3 and will be followed by blistering young talents Urvil Patel and South Africa’s Dewald Brevis.
Brevis, we all know what he brings to the table. His hard-hitting prowess was on display last season as he emerged as the lone warrior for the side after joining the franchise in the middle of the tournament as an injury replacement. Urvil showed a glimpse of his capability last season in limited displays, but the reputation he brings to the table is nothing short of magnificent. Being the fastest centurion in T20s in India’s domestic circuit, Urvil Patel could have his breakthrough season in IPL 2026.
Shivam Dube has had a terrific last year or so for Team India in the shortest format of the game. He was the silent hero in India’s triumphant T20 World Cup 2026 campaign and will enter IPL 2026 perhaps as the man in supreme form. His hard-hitting lower down the order will be in full display, but what makes him a multidimensional player is his seam bowling. Shivam should be used wisely with the ball by Ruturaj Gaikwad, particularly when he needs to slow down the scoring pace of the opposition.
Besides Shivam Dube, the all-rounder, CSK have multiple choices in the department, two of them being Akeal Hosein and Jamie Overton. One of the two will surely start depending on the surface the team plays on. If there will be assistance for spinners, West Indies’ left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Akeal Hosein will get a start; otherwise, the tall English all-rounder Jamie Overton will get a go. Fan favorite MS Dhoni will don the keeping gloves behind the wicket and will be playing as a mentor for the rest of his team members. Like last season, he will bat lower in the order, and his strike rate may once again raise questions among fans, especially when the situation demands aggressive batting.
Khaleel Ahmed had a breakout season last year when he finished as the leading wicket-taker for CSK. That was the only shining stat in an otherwise dismal effort by CSK in IPL 2025. Once again, all eyes would be on the tall, lanky left-arm pacer from Tonk, Rajasthan to deliver with utmost intensity.
What Khaleel was missing last season was an able ally with the new ball for him. CSK did their homework before the auctions and got Blackcaps pacer Matt Henry along with Zak Foulkes onboard. For the last 3-4 years, Matt Henry has been the leader of the pack for the Blackcaps, particularly with the white ball. The other option is Nathan Ellis, who is known for troubling the batters with his slower ones. The Aussie is one of the specialists in T20s and will play a quintessential role for the 5-time champions in this IPL season.
Noor Ahmad’s left-arm chinaman bowling will come quite handy for CSK, particularly while playing at their home venue, i.e., MA Chidambaram Stadium. The wicket in Chennai offers slowness and purchase for the spinners, making Noor Ahmad a vital cog in the bowling unit.
Chennai Super Kings is a team known to have a bowling attack featuring multiple spinners. For years, Ravindra Jadeja used to be the second spinner, but with the veteran no longer in the team, Rahul Chahar, CSK’s 2026 auction pick should fill in the boots left by Jadeja.
Tags: IPL 2026