Chennai Super Kings: This franchise has always been known to keep the old with the new, and it’s quite a perfect blend. Renowned for investing in experience and trusting long-term planning, the CSK squad 2026 continue to be the flagbearers of playing cricket with a straight bat on and off the field. The five-time champions opened 2020 promisingly before tiring, a warning that even the most consistent outfits can not stand still.
CSK come back to IPL 2026 with an all-round unit based on a strong core, smart acquisitions, and depth in talent across departments. Yet with battle-hardened match-winners and seasoned campaigners such as Imran Tahir, the South Africa leg-spinner, continuing to show great leadership in key moments, Chennai find themselves once more well set to be a real threat and try instead for an extended playoff run.
After a tough 2025, CSK have made it pretty plain – they bolstered their batting resources, shored up spin stocks and ensured leadership hasn’t been tinkered with. With Ruturaj Gaikwad as captain with Stephen Fleming at the helm, the franchise seems to be prepared for a comeback season.
CSK Squad 2026: Overview
Team Name: Chennai Super Kings
Captain: Ruturaj Gaikwad
Head Coach: Stephen Fleming
‘Home Ground: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
IPL Titles: 5 (2010, 2011, 2018,2021, 2023)
Owner: Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd (subsidiary of India Cements)
Also Read :- RCB Squad 2026
CSK Squad 2026 – Category-wise Player List
Batters
| Player Name | Role | Price (₹ Cr) |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Top-order Batter | 18 |
| Dewald Brevis | Middle-order Batter | 6 |
| Sarfaraz Khan | Batter | 4.5 |
| Ayush Mhatre | Batter | 1.2 |
| Matthew Short | Batter | 3.5 |
Wicketkeepers
| Player Name | Role | Price (₹ Cr) |
| MS Dhoni | WK-Batsman | 4 |
| Sanju Samson | WK-Batsman | 14 |
| Kartik Sharma | WK-Batsman | 1 |
| Urvil Patel | WK-Batsman | 0.8 |
All-rounders
| Player Name | Role | Price (₹ Cr) |
| Shivam Dube | Batting All-rounder | 12 |
| Jamie Overton | Pace All-rounder | 5.5 |
| Akeal Hosein | Spin All-rounder | 4 |
| Aman Khan | All-rounder | 2.5 |
| Anshul Kamboj | All-rounder | 1.4 |
| Ramakrishna Ghosh | All-rounder | 0.7 |
Bowlers
| Player Name | Role | Price (₹ Cr) |
| Noor Ahmad | Left-arm Spinner | 9 |
| Khaleel Ahmed | Left-arm Fast | 5.25 |
| Mukesh Choudhary | Left-arm Fast | 4 |
| Nathan Ellis | Fast Bowler | 6.5 |
| Matt Henry | Fast Bowler | 4.75 |
| Rahul Chahar | Leg Spinner | 6 |
| Shreyas Gopal | Leg Spinner | 3 |
| Gurjapneet Singh | Fast Bowler | 1.2 |
| Zak Foulkes | Fast Bowler | 2.25 |
| Prashant Veer | Bowler | 0.6 |
CSK Released Players Ahead of IPL 2026
The franchise made bold calls by releasing several big names to reshape the squad:
- Ravindra Jadeja (to Rajasthan Royals)
- Sam Curran (to Rajasthan Royals)
- Devon Conway
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Rachin Ravindra
- Rahul Tripathi
- Vijay Shankar
- Deepak Hooda
- Shaik Rasheed
- Kamlesh Nagarkoti
- Vansh Bedi
- Andre Siddarth
These decisions indicate a strategic shift toward youth, flexibility, and future planning.
Also Read:- IPL Point Table
Chennai Super Kings History (2008–2025)
Chennai Super Kings are one of the most dominant teams in the history of IPL. From the competition’s inception in 2008, the CSK Squad 2026 have been playoff regulars and forged a reputation based on cool heads and old hands.
With MS Dhoni’s legendary captaincy, backed by Stephen Fleming, the three-time IPL champion side became known for being cool under pressure and playing smart cricket.
Early Years & First Titles
After losing in the 2008 and 2009 finals, CSK have gone on to become one of the IPL giants, triumphing in successive years in 2010 and 2011.
Suspension & Historic Comeback
The two-year suspension (2016–17) was a big blow. But CSK came back in 2018 and won the cup immediately, which is among sports’ greatest comebacks.
Recent Highs and Lows
2021 & 2023: Championship wins and (re-)asserted dominance.
2022 & 2025: Rebuilding years reveal roster imbalance. Posted in Uncategorized.
2025: Bottom of the table despite Noor Ahmad and Shivam Dube’s individual brilliance
CSK Squad 2025 Season Review
CSK had a tough time in the 2025 season, winning just 4 games out of 14. Their inability to find a settled batting order, sluggish scoring and dependence on spin-dictated conditions cost them dear.
Key Highlights
- Highest Run Scorer: Shivam Dube (357 runs)
- Best Bowler: Noor Ahmad (24 wickets)
- MS Dhoni came back as the captain midway through the season
- Ended with a bang to register a thumping 83-run win over the Gujarat Titans
- That last performance provided some hope for 2026.
Updated CSK Performance Table (2008 – 2025)
| Season | Final Position | Top Run Scorer | Top Wicket Taker |
| 2010 | Champions | Suresh Raina | Muralitharan |
| 2011 | Champions | Michael Hussey | R. Ashwin |
| 2018 | Champions | Ambati Rayudu | Shardul Thakur |
| 2021 | Champions | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Shardul Thakur |
| 2023 | Champions | Devon Conway | Tushar Deshpande |
| 2025 | 10th | Shivam Dube | Noor Ahmad |
CSK 2026 Outlook
In the fifth instalment of the 5th Uddupi Super Kings, we look at the dark horses from Chennai. With clarity in leadership, veterans who’ve done it before at finals and some bright spots among the newcomers, CSK enter IPL2026 as heavy underdogs! The fact that they can reload while continuing on in the stylistic image of their side philosophy keeps them one of the most respected teams in the league.
FAQs – Chennai Super Kings 2026
Q1. Who is the captain of CSK 2026?
Ruturaj Gaikwad captains Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026.
Q2. Is MS Dhoni playing IPL 2026?
MS Dhoni is still in the reserve category of CSK, and he will also serve as a senior wicketkeeper-batsman.
Q3. How many IPL titles has CSK won?
CSK were champions of the IPL five times (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023).
Q4. Who is the top bowler of CSK in 2026?
There will be plenty of hype around Noor Ahmad, who will lead the spin attack following an impressive 2025 season.
Q5. Why did CSK let go of Ravindra Jadeja?
It was apocalypse now as they continued to clear the decks for long-term squad restructure and cap management.
Q6. CSK’s head coach in 2026?
Stephen Fleming is the head coach once again.
Q7. What is CSK’s home ground?
MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Q8. Is CSK favourites for IPL 2026?
CSK are one of the favourites this season, given their experience, balance and tactical depth, who feel confident among the bookmakers.
