The Chennai Super Kings franchise enters IPL 2026 determined to bounce back after finishing last in 2025. CSK made bold moves during the auction, spending ₹41 crores on nine new players while executing a blockbuster trade for Sanju Samson.
The five-time champions aim to return to their winning ways under captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
What This Guide Covers:
- Complete 25-player Chennai cricket team squad with roles and prices
- New signings and why the Chennai franchise bought them
- Captain and key player analysis for CSK
- Retained vs released player decisions
- Expected playing eleven for the Chennai-based team
- Answers to all fan questions about the IPL Chennai squad
Let’s explore how Chennai Super Kings built their strongest squad for the 2026 Indian Premier League season comeback.
Chennai Super Kings 2026 Complete Squad Overview
Here is the complete list of Chennai Super Kings 2026 squad players. By clicking on any player’s name, you can read about their detailed biography, career stats, and net worth information.
| Player Name | Role | Country | Status | Price (₹ Crores) |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Batsman (Captain) | India | Retained | – |
| MS Dhoni | WK-Batsman | India | Retained | – |
| Sanju Samson | WK-Batsman | India | Traded | 18.00 |
| Shivam Dube | All-Rounder | India | Retained | – |
| Ayush Mhatre | Batsman | India | Retained | – |
| Dewald Brevis | Batsman | South Africa | Retained | – |
| Urvil Patel | WK-Batsman | India | Retained | – |
| Sarfaraz Khan | Batsman | India | Auction Buy | 0.75 |
| Jamie Overton | All-Rounder | England | Retained | – |
| Ramakrishna Ghosh | All-Rounder | India | Retained | – |
| Shreyas Gopal | All-Rounder | India | Retained | – |
| Prashant Veer | All-Rounder | India | Auction Buy | 14.20 |
| Kartik Sharma | All-Rounder | India | Auction Buy | 14.20 |
| Matthew Short | All-Rounder | Australia | Auction Buy | 1.50 |
| Aman Khan | All-Rounder | India | Auction Buy | 0.40 |
| Zak Foulkes | All-Rounder | England | Auction Buy | 0.75 |
| Akeal Hosein | All-Rounder | West Indies | Auction Buy | 2.00 |
| Noor Ahmad | Spinner | Afghanistan | Retained | – |
| Rahul Chahar | Spinner | India | Auction Buy | 5.20 |
| Nathan Ellis | Fast Bowler | Australia | Retained | – |
| Khaleel Ahmed | Fast Bowler | India | Retained | – |
| Mukesh Choudhary | Fast Bowler | India | Retained | – |
| Anshul Kamboj | Fast Bowler | India | Retained | – |
| Gurjapneet Singh | Fast Bowler | India | Retained | – |
| Matt Henry | Fast Bowler | New Zealand | Auction Buy | 2.00 |
Key Facts:
- Total Players: 25 (18 Indians, 7 Overseas)
- Captain: Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Coach: Stephen Fleming
- Home Ground: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Auction Spend: ₹41 Crores
- IPL Titles: 5 (Most successful franchise)
CSK Captain 2026
Ruturaj Gaikwad continues as Chennai Super Kings captain for 2026. The 28-year-old Maharashtra opener led the Chennai franchise through a challenging 2025 season and remains the long-term leadership choice for the post-Dhoni era.
Why Ruturaj Remains CSK Captain:
- Successfully transitioned into leadership role after MS Dhoni stepped down from captaincy
- Strong tactical understanding and calm demeanor under pressure
- Excellent relationship with both senior players and youngsters in the Chennai squad
- Proven performer with the bat, contributing consistently at the top
Captain’s Record:
- Age: 28 years
- IPL Experience: 6 seasons with CSK
- Role: Right-handed opening batsman
- 2025 Performance: Led CSK through rebuilding phase
- Leadership Style: Calm, strategic, youth-friendly approach
Chennai IPL Team New Players 2026
The Chennai franchise bought 9 new players during the auction, spending ₹41 crores total. Here’s the complete breakdown:
| Player | Country | Role | Price | Why CSK Bought |
| Prashant Veer | India | All-Rounder | ₹14.20 cr | Record uncapped buy, Jadeja replacement |
| Kartik Sharma | India | All-Rounder | ₹14.20 cr | Young talent, future investment |
| Rahul Chahar | India | Spinner | ₹5.20 cr | Spin bowling depth |
| Matt Henry | New Zealand | Fast Bowler | ₹2.00 cr | Pace attack leader |
| Akeal Hosein | West Indies | All-Rounder | ₹2.00 cr | Spin all-rounder option |
| Matthew Short | Australia | All-Rounder | ₹1.50 cr | Overseas batting depth |
| Zak Foulkes | England | All-Rounder | ₹0.75 cr | Young overseas talent |
| Sarfaraz Khan | India | Batsman | ₹0.75 cr | Middle-order experience |
| Aman Khan | India | All-Rounder | ₹0.40 cr | Budget all-rounder |
- Record Signings: CSK made headline-grabbing moves with Prashant Veer fetching ₹14.20 crores, becoming the joint most expensive uncapped player in IPL history. Kartik Sharma also commanded the same price, showing CSK’s faith in domestic talent.
- Strategic Focus: CSK’s acquisitions point to blending high-upside uncapped Indian talent with flexible overseas options to refresh the core. The strategy addresses the void left by Ravindra Jadeja’s departure.
- Blockbuster Trade: CSK pulled off one of the biggest trades, bringing Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson for ₹18 crores in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.
CSK Retained Players 2026
The Chennai franchise retained a strong core led by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, with MS Dhoni, Shivam Dube, and others forming the backbone. The retention strategy balanced experience with promising youth.
Key Retentions:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad – Captain and consistent opener
- MS Dhoni – Legendary wicket-keeper and mentor figure
- Shivam Dube – Key Indian all-rounder and powerplay specialist
- Dewald Brevis – Young South African batting talent
- Noor Ahmad – Afghan spinner with mystery bowling
Smart Decisions: The Chennai cricket team retained their core Indian players while keeping proven overseas performers like Nathan Ellis and Jamie Overton. The retention of young talents like Ayush Mhatre shows long-term planning.
Chennai Franchise Released Players 2026
CSK parted ways with high-profile names, trading out Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals, while releasing Matheesha Pathirana, Devon Conway, and Rachin Ravindra.
Major Departures:
- Ravindra Jadeja – All-rounder traded to RR for Sanju Samson
- Sam Curran – English all-rounder also part of RR trade
- Matheesha Pathirana – Sri Lankan pacer released
- Devon Conway – New Zealand opener released
These strategic releases created substantial budget space for CSK’s aggressive auction approach while signaling a shift toward younger talent.
CSK Playing 11 2026
Expected formation includes Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre as openers, followed by Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, MS Dhoni as wicket-keeper.
Expected Starting XI for Chennai IPL team:
- Sanju Samson – Wicket-keeper, aggressive opener
- Ayush Mhatre – Young opener, left-handed option
- Ruturaj Gaikwad – Captain, anchor batsman
- Shivam Dube – Power hitter, part-time bowler
- Dewald Brevis – South African talent, middle-order
- Kartik Sharma – All-rounder, batting depth
- Prashant Veer – Jadeja replacement, key all-rounder
- MS Dhoni – Finisher, wicket-keeper
- Nathan Ellis – Australian pacer
- Matt Henry – New Zealand pace spearhead
- Noor Ahmad – Afghan spinner
Squad Flexibility: Unlike Mumbai Indians’ rigid approach, the Chennai franchise has multiple combinations available. Akeal Hosein can replace Matt Henry for spin-friendly conditions, while Matthew Short provides overseas batting backup.
Chennai Cricket Team Home Ground
MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai Details:
- Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Capacity: 50,000
- Pitch: Traditionally spin-friendly, slower tracks
- Advantage: Home crowd support and familiar conditions
The Chennai venue has historically favored CSK’s spin-heavy approach, with the Chepauk crowd providing unmatched support that intimidates visiting teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Chennai IPL Franchise Historical Performance
| Season | Captain | Wins | Losses | Position | Top Performer |
| 2018 | MS Dhoni | 9 | 5 | Winner | Shane Watson |
| 2019 | MS Dhoni | 9 | 5 | Runner-up | Imran Tahir |
| 2021 | MS Dhoni | 9 | 5 | Winner | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
| 2023 | MS Dhoni | 10 | 4 | Winner | Devon Conway |
| 2025 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | 2 | 12 | 10th Place | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
After finishing at the bottom of the table in IPL 2025, the five-time champions entered the mini-auction with renewed focus and clear transition plans. The 2026 squad represents a complete rebuild.
Why CSK Can Win IPL 2026
Chennai Cricket Team Strengths:
- Strong batting depth with multiple finishers
- Balanced bowling attack mixing pace and spin
- Leadership continuity with Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain
- Home advantage at spin-friendly Chepauk stadium
- Better squad balance compared to Gujarat Titans’ inexperienced core
Improvements Made:
- Added explosive opener in Sanju Samson via trade
- Invested heavily in all-rounder depth with Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma
- Strengthened pace attack with Matt Henry
- Created multiple tactical options with overseas signings
Competitive Edge Over Rivals: Unlike Delhi Capitals’ aging core, the Chennai franchise has injected youth while retaining experience. The Chennai IPL team also has more tactical flexibility than Sunrisers Hyderabad’s top-heavy approach.
FAQs
Who is CSK captain 2026?
Ruturaj Gaikwad is the captain of Chennai cricket team. The 28-year-old opener continues from 2025 in the post-Dhoni era.
Who are Chennai franchise new players 2026?
New signings for the Chennai IPL squad include Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Sanju Samson (trade), Rahul Chahar, Matt Henry, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Short, Zak Foulkes, Sarfaraz Khan, and Aman Khan.
How much did Chennai cricket team spend in auction 2026?
CSK spent ₹41 crores, with Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma being the most expensive at ₹14.20 crores each.
Who is Chennai Super Kings owner?
India Cements and Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd jointly own the Chennai franchise.
What is CSK home ground?
MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai with 50,000 capacity is the Chennai cricket team’s home venue.
How many times has Chennai IPL team won the tournament?
The Chennai franchise has won 5 IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023), making them the most successful team.
Who is Chennai cricket team coach 2026?
Stephen Fleming continues as head coach for the Chennai IPL franchise in the 2026 season.
Which players did the Chennai franchise retain?
CSK retained 16 players including Ruturaj Gaikwad, MS Dhoni, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, and Noor Ahmad.
What is Chennai IPL squad 2026?
The Chennai cricket team squad has 25 players – 18 Indians and 7 overseas cricketers.
Who are CSK released players?
Major releases from the Chennai franchise include Ravindra Jadeja (traded), Sam Curran (traded), Matheesha Pathirana, and Devon Conway.
What is Chennai franchise jersey color?
The Chennai cricket team wears yellow colored jerseys as their primary team colors, earning the nickname “Yellow Army.”
When does IPL 2026 start?
The Indian Premier League 2026 season begins on March 26, with the Chennai IPL team aiming to return to the playoffs.
Why did CSK trade Ravindra Jadeja?
The Chennai franchise traded Jadeja to Rajasthan Royals as part of the deal to acquire Sanju Samson, signaling a shift toward younger talent.
What is MS Dhoni role in CSK 2026?
MS Dhoni continues as wicket-keeper and mentor, though he’s no longer captain. His experience remains crucial for the Chennai cricket team.
Who replaced Ravindra Jadeja in CSK 2026?
Prashant Veer, bought for ₹14.20 crores, is expected to fill the all-rounder role previously held by Jadeja in the Chennai IPL squad.
