Noor Ahmad in; PBKS reject out: Predicting CSK's overseas players in first XI for IPL 2026

Predicting CSK's overseas players in playing XI [Source: AFP Photo]

The IPL auction and retentions are over and the buzz has started for the 2026 season as all ten franchises have assembled a strong squad for the upcoming campaign. Each team invested heavily in quality signings, and one franchise which in particular had an impressive auction was the Chennai Super Kings.

The former IPL champions had the second highest purse heading into the mini auction and they spent a hefty amount of money on a couple of untested youngsters, but they also strengthened their pace and spin attack by investing in overseas bowlers.

However, as the IPL rules suggest, one can only field a maximum of 4 overseas players in the playing XI, and ahead of the next season, CSK have a lot to ponder as they have a plethora of foreign players, but only a select few can slot in the main team. With so many options to choose from, here are the overseas players who can get into the playing XI.

CSK's overseas recruit for IPL 2026

Dewald Brevis, Matthew Short, Jamie Overton, Nathan Ellis, Noor Ahmad, Akeal Hosein, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry

---

ALSO READ

Samson to open in IPL 2026? Top order options for CSK amid Ayush Mhatre's poor form

---

CSK's possible combination with overseas stars

Brevis over Short in the batting order

For the IPL 2026 mini auction, CSK’s focus in the batting department was to strengthen the team with an Indian core. They had earlier traded Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals, and the team invested in two youngsters - Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma. 

With Ayush Mhatre, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, and MS Dhoni in the playing XI, CSK only have one overseas slot left in the batting order, and that spot has to go to Dewald Brevis. There is Matthew Short in the squad, but Brevis' exploits last season was witnessed by everyone.

(Brevis in IPL 2025)

• Brevis came in as a late replacement for the injured Gurjapneet Singh and the South African star made an instant impact as he instantly cemented his place in the CSK playing XI with some stellar performances.
• In just six matches, he aggregated 225 runs, with an impressive strike rate of 180, including two fifties under his belt. He was retained by the franchise and the batter, unless he gets injured, will be a guaranteed starter for the franchise. The Australian all-rounder, Matthew Short can be used as a backup for him.

Good headache for CSK in bowling department

• CSK’s batting issues are largely sorted, but the main headache comes in the bowling department. Khaleel Ahmed will be the new ball bowler, and alongside him, Noor Ahmad, who was CSK’s best bowler, last season, will also start in the playing XI as the first-choice spinner.
• However, filling the other two overseas slots is a tricky job. The team has Akeal Hosein as the second overseas spinner, but with Noor Ahmad already in the lineup, the team doesn’t need to have two foreign spin-bowlers in the playing XI.
• CSK’s main issue will arrive in selecting the pacers, and they have three front-line options to choose from.

(CSK pacers record in T20Is)

• Out of the four pacers, Nathan Ellis has the best T20I record with an economy of just 7.86, and he can solve CSK’s biggest headache - death bowling. Last season, the team crumbled in death overs and Ellis can solve that issue for them; hence, he will be the third overseas player in the XI.
• Zak Foulkes has been impressive for the Kiwis, but the franchise may not start him immediately in the IPL. That leaves the toss-up between Henry and Overton. With the death-bowling woes solved, the team also needs a quality new-ball bowler alongside Khaleel, and there is nobody better than Matt Henry.
• He is a powerplay specialist and one of the best exponents of wobble seam delivery. This year, Henry has 14 T20I wickets in 11 matches, and his experience could come in handy at the top.

CSK's likely four overseas players in the playing XI - Dewald Brevis, Noor Ahmad, ,att Henry, Nathan Ellis.

Overseas players on the bench - Matt Short, Akeal Hosein, Zak Foulkes, Jamie Overton.

---

ALSO READ

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

---