Chennai Super Kings may have to start IPL 2026 without MS Dhoni. The legendary wicketkeeper-batter is expected to miss the first two weeks of the tournament because of a calf strain.
CSK will begin their campaign against Rajasthan Royals on March 30 in Guwahati. With Dhoni unavailable, the team management will need to adjust the playing XI and decide who will take his place in the lineup.
CSK Strategy Without MS Dhoni
Even though Dhoni handed over captaincy earlier, his presence has always been important for CSK. His absence means the team must find a new combination for both leadership and wicketkeeping duties.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is expected to continue as captain. Sanju Samson could take the wicketkeeping role and may open the innings with Gaikwad.
The top order might also include Ayush Mhatre or Urvil Patel at number three. In the middle order, Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube are expected to play key roles.
The middle and lower middle order could include Kartik Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan, and Prashant Veer depending on the final team balance.
Possible Batting Order for CSK
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sanju Samson (WK) |
| 2 | Ruturaj Gaikwad (C) |
| 3 | Ayush Mhatre / Urvil Patel |
| 4 | Dewald Brevis |
| 5 | Shivam Dube |
| 6 | Kartik Sharma / Sarfaraz Khan |
| 7 | Prashant Veer |
Bowling Combination CSK Could Use
CSK also have several bowling options to cover different match situations.
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Akeal Hosein could lead the spin department, while Noor Ahmad may provide additional spin support. For pace bowling, Matt Henry and Khaleel Ahmed are expected to take responsibility.
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Spin | Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad |
| Pace | Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed |
| Additional option | Anshul Kamboj / Gurjapneet Singh |
This combination gives CSK flexibility depending on pitch conditions.
Will Sarfaraz Khan Get a Chance?
Sarfaraz Khan is one of the strongest contenders to replace Dhoni in the playing XI. He has been in excellent form in domestic cricket across formats.
His performances for Mumbai in recent tournaments have impressed selectors and team management.
Sarfaraz Khan Recent Domestic Stats
| Tournament | Runs | Innings | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | 329 | 7 | 65.80 | 203.09 |
| Vijay Hazare Trophy | 303 | 5 | 75.75 | 190.57 |
| Ranji Trophy | 429 | 9 | 53.63 | 75.13 |
These numbers show that Sarfaraz is capable of handling pressure and scoring runs consistently.
If CSK want a reliable middle-order batter, Sarfaraz could be the preferred option.
Kartik Sharma Another Option for Middle Order
Kartik Sharma is another player who could fill the middle-order role. CSK reportedly invested a large amount in him because of his all-round ability and power hitting.
He is known for hitting big sixes and finishing innings strongly. If CSK want more attacking batting in the middle overs, Sharma could get the nod.
The team management will likely decide between Sarfaraz Khan and Kartik Sharma based on match conditions and balance.
Possible CSK Playing XI Without Dhoni
Here is a possible lineup if Dhoni is unavailable for the opening match.
| No | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sanju Samson (WK) |
| 2 | Ruturaj Gaikwad (C) |
| 3 | Ayush Mhatre / Urvil Patel |
| 4 | Dewald Brevis |
| 5 | Shivam Dube |
| 6 | Kartik Sharma / Sarfaraz Khan |
| 7 | Prashant Veer |
| 8 | Akeal Hosein |
| 9 | Anshul Kamboj / Gurjapneet Singh |
| 10 | Matt Henry |
| 11 | Noor Ahmad |
| 12 | Khaleel Ahmed (Impact option) |
CSK Schedule for IPL 2026
CSK will play several important matches during the league stage of IPL 2026.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Mar 2026 | RR vs CSK | Guwahati | 7:30 PM |
| 3 Apr 2026 | CSK vs PBKS | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 5 Apr 2026 | RCB vs CSK | Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 11 Apr 2026 | CSK vs DC | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 14 Apr 2026 | CSK vs KKR | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 18 Apr 2026 | SRH vs CSK | Hyderabad | 7:30 PM |
| 23 Apr 2026 | MI vs CSK | Mumbai | 7:30 PM |
| 26 Apr 2026 | GT vs CSK | Ahmedabad | 3:30 PM |
| 2 May 2026 | CSK vs MI | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 5 May 2026 | DC vs CSK | Delhi | 7:30 PM |
| 10 May 2026 | CSK vs LSG | Chennai | 3:30 PM |
| 15 May 2026 | LSG vs CSK | Lucknow | 7:30 PM |
| 18 May 2026 | CSK vs SRH | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
| 21 May 2026 | CSK vs GT | Chennai | 7:30 PM |
CSK Squad for IPL 2026
The CSK squad includes experienced international players and promising young talent.
| Player List |
|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), MS Dhoni (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, Kartik Sharma (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Urvil Patel (WK), Anshul Kamboj, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Prashant Veer, Aman Khan, Zak Foulkes, Shivam Dube, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Spencer Johnson, Shreyas Gopal, Gurjapneet Singh, Akeal Hosein, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Matthew Short |
With Dhoni unavailable at the start of the season, CSK will need a strong team effort. Players like Sarfaraz Khan, Kartik Sharma, and Sanju Samson could play important roles in maintaining the team’s balance during the early matches.
