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Chennai Super Kings Squad 2026: Full Player List, Captain & Team Profile

Chennai Super Kings enter IPL 2026 with renewed energy and a squad built around experience, smart overseas picks, and a strong home-ground advantage. Under the captaincy of Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK look to reclaim their place among the top contenders after meticulous planning at the auction table. Head coach Stephen Fleming continues to provide the strategic backbone that has made CSK one of the most consistently successful franchises in IPL history.

The squad balances seasoned campaigners with exciting young talent. The presence of MS Dhoni as a wicket-keeper batter adds immeasurable value, both in terms of experience and finishing ability. Alongside Sanju Samson, CSK now boast two world-class glove-men who can change the course of a match. With a pace attack led by Khaleel Ahmed and Matt Henry, supported by spinners like Noor Ahmad and Rahul Chahar, the bowling unit looks well-rounded for varying pitch conditions.

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Chennai Super Kings 2026 Upcoming Matches

CSK have a competitive schedule ahead, with crucial home and away fixtures spread across the tournament. Check the table below for all Chennai Super Kings matches in IPL 2026. Stay updated through our IPL matches 2026 coverage for live scores and match previews.

Quick Facts: Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026

For the complete roster, visit Chennai Super Kings Players to explore detailed profiles of every player in the 2026 squad.

Squad Breakdown

CSK have assembled a 25-player squad with a clear structure: a dependable top order, power-hitting all-rounders in the middle, and a versatile bowling attack that can adapt to both Chepauk’s turning tracks and away conditions. The squad has depth across all departments, giving Fleming significant options when finalising the playing eleven.

Batters

• Ruturaj Gaikwad — Captain and top-order anchor, known for his elegant stroke play and big-match temperament.
• Dewald Brevis — Explosive South African youngster capable of dismantling any bowling attack at the top or middle order.
• Ayush Mhatre — Promising young Indian batter with sound technique and the ability to rotate strike effectively.
• Sarfaraz Khan — Aggressive middle-order batter with a proven appetite for big scores under pressure.

Wicket-Keepers (WK-Batter)

• MS Dhoni — The iconic former CSK captain continues as a finisher and keeper, bringing unmatched experience and calm under pressure.
• Sanju Samson — World-class wicket-keeper batter who offers explosive batting and safe hands behind the stumps.
• Kartik Sharma — Dependable backup keeper with solid domestic credentials.
• Urvil Patel — Power-hitting young wicket-keeper known for his aggressive approach at the top of the order.

All-Rounders

• Shivam Dube — Powerful left-handed striker and handy medium-pace option, a match-winner in the death overs.
• Anshul Kamboj — Right-arm seamer who chips in with useful lower-order runs.
• Jamie Overton — English all-rounder capable of generating serious pace and hitting big in the lower middle order.
• Matthew William Short — Versatile Australian who bats aggressively in the top order and offers off-spin.
• Ramakrishna Ghosh — Domestic all-rounder with strong T20 experience across formats.
• Prashant Veer — Hard-hitting finisher and medium-pace contributor.
• Aman Khan — Young all-rounder adding depth and flexibility to the batting and bowling units.
• Zak Foulkes — Pace-bowling all-rounder from England bringing extra hitting ability in the lower order.

Bowlers

• Khaleel Ahmed — Left-arm pacer known for his swing with the new ball and effective death bowling.
• Matt Henry — New Zealand seamer with sharp movement and strong IPL experience.
• Nathan Ellis — Australian right-arm fast-medium bowler, particularly effective in the powerplay and death overs.
• Noor Ahmad — Talented Afghan left-arm wrist spinner capable of turning the ball sharply on any surface.
• Rahul Chahar — Right-arm leg-spin specialist with variations that trouble top-order batters.
• Shreyas Gopal — Experienced leg-spinner with a knack for picking up key wickets in the middle overs.
• Akeal Hosein — West Indian left-arm spinner who provides control and takes wickets in the powerplay.
• Mukesh Choudhary — Left-arm seamer from domestic circuit with an ability to extract movement early.
• Gurjapneet Singh — Young left-arm pace prospect adding rawness and unpredictability to the attack.

Home Stadium: The Fortress

M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, commonly known as Chepauk, is one of the most intimidating venues in the IPL. Located in the heart of Chennai, the ground traditionally produces pitches that assist spin bowling significantly as the tournament progresses. Slow, low tracks make stroke-making a challenge, which historically has suited CSK’s strategy of building innings patiently and relying on wrist spinners and left-arm orthodox bowlers to restrict opposition sides.

The atmosphere at Chepauk is electric when CSK play at home. The Yellow Army fills the stands and creates a wall of noise that has unsettled many visiting teams over the years. The close boundary on one side offers big-hitting batters a target, but the outfield and the pitch conditions mean that bowlers who can grip the ball and vary their pace tend to thrive. For CSK, playing two home matches in the early rounds gives them a meaningful platform to set a positive tone for IPL 2026.

Season Outlook

Chennai Super Kings enter IPL 2026 as genuine title contenders, built on a foundation of smart squad construction and experienced leadership. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s growth as a captain has been notable, and with MS Dhoni alongside him in the dressing room, CSK have access to the best possible cricket mind in the business. The batting lineup, anchored by Gaikwad and given firepower by Brevis, Samson, and Dube, has the potential to post competitive totals on a consistent basis.

The bowling attack, however, will be the real differentiator. If Khaleel Ahmed and Matt Henry can take early wickets and the spinners exploit Chepauk conditions, CSK are capable of defending any total at home. Away from Chennai, the challenge is greater, particularly on flat wickets in cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai. Overall, CSK have the squad depth and coaching acumen to push for a playoff berth, and on their day, they remain a team capable of going all the way in IPL 2026.