Chennai Super Kings Prepare for IPL 2026 with Key Changes and Iconic Players

CSK's Preparations for the Upcoming IPL Season

As the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), five-time champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), gear up for the new season, legendary wicketkeeper-batter Mahendra Singh Dhoni and team captain Ruturaj Gaikwad were seen practicing together in the nets on Sunday. Both players showcased their skills, hitting a variety of shots.

A video shared by CSK on social media captured Dhoni executing elegant drives, pull shots, and cut shots, while Gaikwad, who had a significant injury setback last season, was seen launching lofted shots towards mid-wicket. The excitement is palpable as fans eagerly await the season.

Dhoni's Retention and Performance Overview

Dhoni was retained by CSK as an 'uncapped player' for ₹4 crore ahead of IPL 2025, a decision that has been carried over into IPL 2026, maintaining his salary at the same rate. In the previous season, Dhoni contributed 196 runs across 14 matches, averaging 24.50 with a strike rate of 135.17.

Major Changes Ahead of IPL 2026

Earlier today, CSK revealed their new team jersey for the upcoming IPL season. The team had a disappointing performance in IPL 2025, finishing last after losing 10 out of 14 matches.

In preparation for the 2026 season, CSK has made significant changes to their roster, including the notable trade of all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in exchange for wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson.

Chennai Super Kings Full Squad for IPL 2026

The complete squad for CSK in IPL 2026 includes:

• Anshul Kamboj


• Gurjapneet Singh


• Jamie Overton


• MS Dhoni


• Mukesh Choudhary


• Nathan Ellis


• Noor Ahmad


• Ramakrishna Ghosh


• Sanju Samson


• Ruturaj Gaikwad


• Shivam Dube


• Shreyas Gopal


• Syed Khaleel Ahmed


• Ayush Mhatre


• Dewald Brevis


• Urvil Patel


• Sarfaraz Khan (₹75 lakh)


• Kartik Sharma (₹14.20 Cr)


• Prashant Veer (₹14.20 Cr)


• Matthew Short (₹1.50 Cr)


• Aman Khan (₹40 lakh)


• Zak Foulkes (₹75 lakh)


• Akeal Hosein (₹2 Cr)


• Rahul Chahar (₹5.2 Cr)


• Matt Henry (₹2 Cr)