Uncapped players for CSK to watch out in IPL 2026 [Source: @Crex_live/X.com]Chennai Super Kings (CSK), five-time IPL champions, will approach the IPL 2026 season wanting redemption. Last year, they finished at the bottom of the table for the first time in the history of the tournament.Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out with an injury, forcing MS Dhoni to resume the leadership role. However, the team didn’t click through the season and hit a new low in their IPL journey, which otherwise has been glorious.Regardless, this year, CSK have made multiple tactical changes to their squad. They spent a significant portion of their purse on uncapped youngsters while also securing a big talent like Sanju Samson through trade.Meanwhile, before the IPL 2026 season gets underway on March 28, let’s look at a few uncapped players who can have a breakout season with CSK this year.Uncapped players to watch out for CSK in IPL 20261. Prashant VeerThe highlight of the auction for CSK was all-rounder Prashant Veer. Chennai got into a heated bidding war with SRH and bagged Veer for a whopping price of ₹14.2 crore. While the deal appears overpriced, it matters to CSK because they see a replacement of Ravindra Jadeja in Prashant Veer. With Jadeja traded to RR in exchange for Sanju Samson, the Super Kings need a quality all-rounder in the lineup.Also Read - CSK Candidates For IPL 2026 Orange CapAs for Veer, he first gained attention playing for Noida Super Kings in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League. He scored 320 runs at a strike rate of 155 and also took 8 wickets.Because of his aggressive six-hitting, he earned the nickname “Miller” in age-group cricket. His performances fast-tracked him into higher levels of cricket, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Within a short period, he even played six matches in seven days while travelling between Kolkata and Mumbai. Hence, given his price tag and potential, Prashant Veer will definitely get an ample amount of chances in IPL 2026 to prove himself as the future of CSK.2. Ayush MhatreThe biggest talking point of the IPL 2026 season for CSK will be the emergence of Ayush Mhatre. The U19 captain has shown a lot of potential in age-group cricket. Moreover, in 7 games played last year, Mhatre scored 240 runs at a 188.97 strike rate. With CSK parting ways with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, Mhatre may get an opportunity to open with either Samson or Gaikwad.As for his performance, Ayush Mhatre has scored 565 runs in 13 T20s with an impressive average of 56.50. While the youngster lacks consistency, the IPL platform could be a blessing in disguise for him to make a name for CSK.3. Kartik SharmaAfter Prashant Veer, CSK had to battle hard with SRH again for wicket-keeper batter Kartik Sharma. The latter is a powerful young batter from Bharatpur who is popular for his aggressive six-hitting ability in domestic cricket.He first rose to fame in the Rajasthan Premier League in 2023. Moreover, strong performances in domestic tournaments helped him build a reputation as a dangerous T20 hitter. Hence, seeing his potential, CSK chose to bet on him and bought him for ₹14.2 crore, the same amount they paid Prashant Veer.So far in T20 cricket, Kartik Sharma has scored 28 sixes in 11 innings with a strike rate of 162.92. Moreover, he was also the joint-highest six-hitter in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy (first phase) and the highest six-hitter in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.Hence, like Prashant Veer, the IPL 2026 stage is open for Kartik Sharma to do justice to his price tag and become a breakout talent for CSK.Also Read - Gautam Gambhir Breaks Silence On 'Mistakes' That Led To Rift Rumours With Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma
