Gaikwad to open, Samson at 3; Dhoni to finish with Jadeja replacement: CSK strongest XI for IPL 2026

Gaikwad, Samson and MS Dhoni [Source: AFP, @CricInformer/X]

The IPL 2026 mini auction concluded on Tuesday, with Chennai Super Kings acquiring nine players to complete their 25-member squad. While Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer emerged as the joint-most expensive uncapped buys (worth INR 14.2 crores) in the IPL auction history, the Super Kings also made several smart signings, roping in Matthew Short, Sarfaraz Khan and Matt Henry. 

Chennai Super Kings IPL 2026 retention list

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, MS Dhoni (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Urvil Patel (WK), Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramkrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh

Chennai Super Kings IPL 2026 auction buys

Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes

Chennai Super Kings IPL 2026 full squad

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, MS Dhoni (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Urvil Patel (WK), Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramkrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh, Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes

As Chennai Super Kings have finalised their squad, let's analyse and find out their best possible combination for IPL 2026 season. 

Top Order: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson

Gaikwad's promotion to opening slot expected; Samson to bat at 3

(Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson in IPL)

CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad surprisingly batted at number three and ended up with a string of inconsistent performances in the IPL 2025. Gaikwad has been a prolific opener in the IPL, amassing 2289 runs at an average of 44.02 and a strike rate of 136.90. On the other hand, he has 208 runs, averaging 26 and striking at 151.82 at number three. 

Therefore, the inclusion of Sanju Samson, who is a natural number three, allows Gaikwad to reclaim his opening slot and kickstart the innings with Ayush Mhatre, who looked sublime as an opener in the IPL 2025, scoring 240 runs across seven innings at an average of 34.29 and a strike rate of 188.98. The trio is expected to give CSK a rollicking start in the IPL. 

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Middle order: Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, MS Dhoni

The curious case of Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube

(Dube and Brevis in IPL)

Dewald Brevis has the reputation of a genuine middle-order batter, while Shivam Dube has the image of a destructive finisher. However, interestingly, these two cricketers have played exactly opposite roles in the IPL. While Dube has mostly been used at number four (26 out of 75 innings), Brevis mostly batted at either 5 or 6 for CSK last season. 

So, considering the trend, we shouldn't be surprised if the Super Kings send Dube above Brevis in the IPL. That said, the decision will also be made based on the game situation and matchups. 

(CSK can use Dube and Brevis based on matchups)

For example, if a left-arm off-spinner (SLA) operates in the middle overs, Dube, who dominates the bowling type more than Brevis with a strike rate of 155.46, could be used at four. On the other hand, if a right-arm leg spinner (RLS) is the frontline wicket-taking option in the opposition, Brevis might come ahead of the southpaw. 

Why Kartik Sharma over Urvil Patel and Sarfaraz Khan?

Uncapped Indian batter Kartik Sharma secured a whopping 14.2 Cr deal with CSK in the IPL 2026 mini auction. While he has showcased remarkable form of late, Urvil Patel and Sarfaraz Khan emerge as his competitors for the middle-order batter's slot. 

However, it's worth mentioning that both Sarfaraz and Urvil have mostly been successful as top-order batters. Sarfaraz's SMAT exploits have come while batting at three for Mumbai; meanwhile, Urvil hasn't batted in the middle order at all. 

So, given Kartik Sharma's price tag and the fact that CSK have a settled top-order comprising Gaikwad, Samson and Mhatre, they should ideally trust the ability of Kartik Sharma, who is a genuine middle-order player, unlike Sarfaraz and Urvil, in T20 cricket. 

Prashant Veer comes in as Jadeja's replacement; MS Dhoni to finish things off

CSK signed left-arm spin all-rounder Prashant Veer following his heroics in SMAT 2025 and UP T20, where he cumulative amassed 432 runs at a strike rate of 158.82 apart from picking 17 wickets in 15 innings. So, he will come in for Ravindra Jadeja as his like-for-like replacement, with the legendary MS Dhoni likely to preserve himself for the finisher's role. 

Bowlers: Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Nathan Ellis, Matt Henry

Khaleel, Noor are sure starters, courtesy of IPL 2025 heroics

Noor Ahmad was CSK's go-to man with the ball in the IPL 2025, scalping 24 wickets in 14 matches at a strike rate of 12.5. The left-arm wrist spinner will spearhead the Super Kings' bowling unit alongside Khaleel Ahmed, who bagged 15 wickets with his left-arm fast bowling last season. 

Matt Henry to bowl in powerplay; Nathan Ellis to lead CSK death bowling

Meanwhile, the acquisition of Matt Henry has boosted CSK's fast bowling core and ideally, the five-time champions should utilise the Kiwi pacer as their frontline new-ball operator. 

Apart from troubling the batters with his exceptional scrambled-seam deliveries, Henry has a good out-swinger that can outfox the bests in business. Considering he's slightly prone to injuries, CSK must judiciously use him to only deliver his four overs without putting additional responsibilities on his shoulders. 

With Matheesha Pathirana joining KKR, CSK are likely to use Nathan Ellis as their middle and death overs specialist in the IPL 2026 due to his impressive record in those phases. 

(Nathan Ellis in 7-20 overs in T20 cricket)

CSK's strongest playing combination for IPL 2026 (including impact player)

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, MS Dhoni (WK), Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Nathan Ellis, Matt Henry

Other probable impact substitute choices

Jamie Overton, Matthew Short, Anshul Kamboj, Rahul Chahar and Akeal Hosein

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