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

CSK's best possible combination for IPL 2026 [Source: AFP]

The IPL 2026 is just around the corner, and just like any other season, all eyes will be on the Chennai Super Kings, and whether MS Dhoni’s team can capture their sixth IPL title to become the most successful team in the tournament’s history. The team looks balanced on paper, and they have assembled a strong squad.

Last season, the Super Kings had a torrid time as they finished at the bottom of the table; however, they have invested in quality stars, and expect a turnaround as CSK would aim to get back to the top of the table.

With the IPL 2026 mere days away, here is CSK’s best playing XI for the marquee event, with a couple of youngsters included.

CSK's best playing XI for IPL 2026

Openers and top order: Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad

There is no doubt that CSK has one of the best top three in the league, with the highly talented Ayush Mhatre opening, alongside the T20 World Cup star and CSK’s newest recruit, Sanju Samson. The Kerala batter was traded from RR, and he is likely to open the batting for CSK, a position where he dominated the proceedings for India.

Moreover, even in the IPL, Samson’s best position has been the opening spot, and the stats reveal the story.

(Samson as opener in IPL)

• Samson has scored 783 runs as an opener in the IPL, and the strike rate is also decent (137.37). He has enough experience to play at the top, and since the batter has done well in T20 World Cup as an opener, he will be preferred over Gaikwad.
• Gaikwad is mainly used as an opener, but with Samson playing at his preferred position, and Mhatre up top, the CSK skipper might have to play at 3, a position where he did well last season. While he has played 60 innings as an opener, his best numbers have come in at 3.
• In 8 innings at number 3, he has scored 208 runs, with a strike rate of 151.82. Thus, he will continue to bat at 3 in the IPL 2026.

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Middle order and all-rounders: Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, MS Dhoni

CSK’s middle order for the IPL 2026 is filled with a mixture of youth and experience. At number 4, the exciting Dewald Brevis will play, and the franchise would hope he can continue the good work from last season.

Brevis came in as a replacement for the injured Gurjapneet, and he played some key knocks to give CSK hope for the IPL 2026 season.

Shivam Dube is likely to bat at number 5, and the Indian all-rounder could be used as a floater. If the team needs someone to take charge against the spinners, Dube could be promoted up the order. Moreover, his bowling skills could be quite handy on the slower Chepauk decks.

Two 14.2 crores buys, Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, will bat as finishers for the side, alongside the legendary MS Dhoni, who bats well down the order nowadays. The CSK legend is likely to come in at number 8, a position where he mostly batted last season.

Bowlers: Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed

With Nathan Ellis injured and ruled out, CSK’s bowling has dealt a huge blow for IPL 2026. In his absence, expect Khaleel Ahmed to lead CSK’s bowling, with Matt Henry joining him as an impact sub (when CSK is bowling second).

Jamie Overton, the English star is expected to be another pacer, and the lone warrior in the spin department will be Noor Ahmad.

The spinner took 24 wickets in IPL 2025, and CSK would expect him to once again deliver the goods in the upcoming season.

CSK's likely playing XI for IPL 2026

Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad(C), Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, MS Dhoni, Jamie Overton, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed

Impact subs: Matt Henry, Urvil Patel, Sarfaraz Khan, Akeal Hosein

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