Aakash Chopra Reveals His Predicted CSK XI for IPL 2026

Aakash Chopra has unveiled his predicted playing XI for the Chennai Super Kings in the 2026 IPL, featuring key players like Dewald Brevis and Sanju Samson. While he acknowledges the team's solid lineup, he expresses concerns about their overall strength compared to previous seasons. Chopra emphasizes the importance of the top order and the tactical role of MS Dhoni, alongside the challenges Ruturaj Gaikwad may face as captain. Read on for a detailed analysis of his selections and insights into CSK's potential performance.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 24, 2026, 16:32 IST

Chopra's CSK Lineup Insights

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has shared his anticipated playing XI for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the upcoming 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), featuring just three international players. His selection includes Dewald Brevis, Noor Ahmad, and Matt Henry, with predictions that Sanju Samson will be the team's top run-scorer and Noor Ahmad the leading wicket-taker.

Chopra's lineup comes after CSK retained 15 players prior to the IPL 2026 auction, traded for Samson before last year's mini-auction, and finalized their 25-member squad with nine new additions. In his breakdown, he positioned Ayush Mhatre and Samson as the opening pair, followed by Ruturaj Gaikwad at number three and Brevis at number four. He underscored Brevis' significance, indicating that the team will heavily rely on the young South African talent.

Bowling Strategy and Impact Players

For the bowling department, Chopra selected Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, and Matt Henry as the primary bowlers. He also pointed out the potential of impact players, suggesting Rahul Chahar, Shreyas Gopal, and Ramakrishna Ghosh as viable options. "Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, and Matt Henry will form your bowling trio. For impact players, you can consider keeping Rahul Chahar and Shreyas Gopal in the mix. Ramakrishna Ghosh is also performing well," he elaborated.

Chopra's complete XI includes: Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, MS Dhoni, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, and Matt Henry. He believes Samson could contend for the Orange Cap, while Noor Ahmad might lead the wicket-taking charts if given regular chances.

Concerns About Team Strength

Despite highlighting key players, Chopra expressed reservations about the overall strength of CSK. He acknowledged that while the squad appears solid, it lacks the intimidating presence of previous CSK teams. "On paper, this team doesn't inspire confidence as a dominant force. They can still perform well because they are the Chennai Super Kings, but they seem more like a decent team rather than an unbeatable one. However, cricket is not played on paper," he remarked.

Chopra emphasized that CSK's success will depend on their top five batsmen performing consistently throughout the innings, with Dhoni's role being tactical. He also noted that Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy will be put to the test, especially in managing the bowling resources effectively.