Chennai Super Kings are preparing for IPL 2026 and one of the key questions is about the opening pair. Sanju Samson is expected to open the batting, but CSK still need to decide who will partner him at the top.
The team begins its IPL 2026 campaign on March 30 against Rajasthan Royals. Before that match, CSK must finalize whether young batter Ayush Mhatre should continue as opener or if captain Ruturaj Gaikwad should return to his usual role at the top.
Both options have advantages, and the decision will play an important role in how CSK approach the season.
CSK’s Opening Options for IPL 2026
There are two main options for Chennai Super Kings.
- Keep Ayush Mhatre as opener alongside Sanju Samson.
- Promote Ruturaj Gaikwad back to the opening slot and move Mhatre to number 3.
The choice depends on recent form, experience, and how the team wants to balance the batting order.
Ayush Mhatre as an Opener
Ayush Mhatre is one of the exciting young players in the CSK squad. He made his debut for Mumbai in late 2024 and later joined CSK during the 2025 season.
He brought an aggressive approach to the top order, which helped CSK score quickly in the powerplay.
Ayush Mhatre IPL 2025 Performance
| Matches | Runs | Average | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 240 | 34.28 | Opener |
Mhatre was one of the few bright spots for CSK during IPL 2025. His ability to attack early in the innings helped the team get quick starts.
However, his form after the 2025 IPL season has been inconsistent. In overall T20 matches so far, he has opened in 12 out of 13 games and batted at number 3 only once.
This shows that he is most comfortable at the top of the order. Still, as a young player, he may be able to adapt to batting at number 3 if the team needs him to.
Some experts believe CSK could move Mhatre to number 3 and allow the captain to return to his natural role as opener.
Also See : Pat Cummins Joins SRH Camp for IPL 2026 but Ishan Kishan to Lead Team Early
Ruturaj Gaikwad as an Opener
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been one of the most reliable batters for Chennai Super Kings over the years. Most of his IPL success has come while opening the batting.
He is known for his calm approach at the crease. Gaikwad usually starts steadily and then increases the scoring rate once he settles.
Ruturaj Gaikwad IPL Record by Batting Position
| Batting Position | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 47 | 1632 | 37.95 | 134.98 |
| 2nd | 13 | 657 | 73.00 | 141.90 |
| 3rd | 8 | 208 | 26.00 | 151.82 |
| 4th | 1 | 5 | 5.00 | 50.00 |
| 5th | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
The numbers clearly show that Gaikwad performs best as an opener. More than 90 percent of his IPL runs have come while batting at number 1 or 2.
When he bats at number 3, his performance drops compared to his opening record.
Because of this, many believe that CSK should move him back to the opening position alongside Sanju Samson.
Why Samson and Gaikwad Could Be a Strong Opening Pair
Sanju Samson is naturally an attacking batter who likes to play freely from the start. Pairing him with Gaikwad could give CSK a balanced opening partnership.
Gaikwad’s calm and steady approach can anchor the innings, while Samson can play aggressive shots and take advantage of powerplay overs.
This combination could help CSK build strong partnerships and set a solid platform for the middle order.
Final Decision for CSK
CSK now have two clear choices.
They can keep Ayush Mhatre at the top and allow Gaikwad to bat at number 3. This option keeps the young opener in his natural role.
The other option is to move Gaikwad back to the opening slot with Sanju Samson and push Mhatre to number 3. This approach uses Gaikwad’s proven success as an opener and could give CSK a stable start.
The final decision will depend on the team strategy and how they want to balance their batting lineup for IPL 2026.
Fans will be watching closely when CSK begin their campaign on March 30 to see which opening combination the team chooses.
