CSK Players Who Might Not Get A Single Match In IPL 2026

CSK players who might warm the bench in IPL 2026 [Source: AFP]

The IPL 2026 season is just around the corner, and all eyes will be on CSK, as they aim to capture their sixth IPL title. Unlike last season, the Yellow Army appears strong for the upcoming campaign, having acquired some exciting young talents in the IPL mini auction.

In IPL 2026, CSK finished last in the points table, having won the championship in 2023. The Chennai-based franchise will look to make a comeback, and they have the team to capture the IPL title once again.

Having bought a plethora of superstars, CSK have a settled unit, and their playing combination is almost sorted. Hence, numerous players might not get a chance to play a single match in IPL 2026, and here is a list of such CSK players who will most likely warm the bench.

1) Sarfaraz Khan

In the IPL 2026 mini auction, CSK invested in quality young players, as they ditched their policy of buying experienced campaigners, and one of their signings was the former RCB player, Sarfaraz Khan. The wily batter has played a few seasons in the IPL, but has never really stood out, despite getting chances for RCB.

CSK’s batting is stacked, with Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, and Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top, and Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, and Kartik Sharma in the middle. Moreover, Urvil Patel is also warming the bench, and if someone gets injured, Urvil is likely to get a nod ahead of Sarfafaz.

He last played an IPL match in 2021, and since then, the Mumbai batter has been snubbed by IPL franchises. Moreover, his IPL record is also mediocre, having scored 441 runs in 40 matches, with a decent strike rate of 138.

Also Read: CSK's Best Playing XI For IPL 2026- Sanju Samson To Open, MS Dhoni Batting Position Locked

2) Akeal Hosein

CSK has two quality spinners in Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein from the West Indies. However, when you have two world-class spinners, only one can play in the playing XI. In this case, Noor Ahmad will be a sure-shot starter, and his performances in IPL 2025 speak volumes of his calibre.

He scalped 24 wickets in 14 matches, and finished as the second-highest wicket-taker, only behind Prasidh Krishna.

(Noor Ahmad in IPL 2025)

• 14 matches and 24 wickets defined Noor Ahmad's IPL journey, last year. Moreover, he had a brilliant economy of 8.16.
• With Brevis, Jamie Overton, and Matt Henry most likely to be the overseas players in the CSK playing XI, there is only one space left, and Akeal Hosein might not get a single game, unless Noor gets injured or witnesses a tremendous dip in form.

3) Zak Foulkes

CSK signed the talented Kiwi bowler, Zak Foulkes, in the IPL 2026 mini auction, but his case is similar to what Akeal Hosein might face in the upcoming season. Jamie Overton is likely to play in the main XI for CSK, and with Nathan Ellis ruled out, Matt Henry is set to start as the new ball bowler.

Hence, that leaves no space for CSK to include Foulkes in their starting lineup. Moreover, Overton can offer a bit of batting to MS Dhoni’s team, and Matt Henry is clearly CSK’s best overseas pacer at the moment.

Foulkes has no experience of playing in the league, and unless someone gets injured, the Kiwi pacer might warm the bench for the entire IPL 2026.

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