IPL 2026 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Best Playing 11 After Sanju Samson Trade

Explore Chennai Super Kings (CSK) updated IPL 2026 best playing 11 after the Sanju Samson trade with full team analysis, and key player roles explained.

One of the biggest trades of the year is finally on the verge of becoming reality in the Indian Premier League. Yes, we are talking about the potential swap deal of dashing RR’s wicket-keeper and opening batter Sanju Samson and CSK’s All-rounder duo Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. The discussions are almost in the final stages, and the deal is about to become a reality. If not a swap, an all-cash deal can’t be ruled out.

The CSK team is adamant about bringing the experience of Sanju Samson to the team. With MS Dhoni almost counting his last few days, CSK need a wicket-keeper who can stay with the team for 3-4 years at least. Sanju Samson fits the bill perfectly for the team. Alongside his wicket-keeping abilities, Sanju at the top as an opener brings great experience to the team. However, while RR have agreed to transfer Sanju to CSK, in return, RR want something better.

It is understood that RR are also adamant to get Brevis in the side. Brevis, as we know, is one of the best emerging finishers in the game, and him being in any IPL side is a bonus. But CSK management won’t agree to this, given how good Brevis was for them last year, and they got Brevis at a low cost in the middle of the season. Hence, the Chennai Super Kings team is insisting on swapping Sanju with Jadeja and Curran.

CSK wants to swap Sanju Samson with Jadeja and Curran

But how does the team dynamics change if Sanju comes in the side, and Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran move out? It will certainly affect the team balance, but does CSK have a solid playing 11, even before they enter the Auction? Well, if they somehow retain Jadeja and Curran, alongside Sanju, it would be a big win for the CSK team. But for now, let’s assume Jadeja and Curran move to RR, and basis that, let’s find the best playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the IPL 2026 Mini Auction.  

Before we get into the playing 11, let’s first have a look at the ideal retained players list for CSK for IPL 2026. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the franchise, is expected to retain a total of 17 players, and this excludes Jadeja and Curran. Among the key names, CSK’s core will continue to revolve around Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, MS Dhoni, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, and Anshul Kamboj. This mix of experience and youth gives CSK a strong foundation heading into the new season. With 17 retained players already on board, the Chennai Super Kings are expected to have around ₹20 crore left in their purse for IPL 2026 Mini Auction. 

IPL 2026 Best Retained Players List for Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Batters

• Andre Siddharth
• Ayush Mhatre
• Dewald Brevis
• Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
• Shaik Rasheed

Wicket-keepers

• MS Dhoni
• Sanju Samson
• Urvil Patel
• Vansh Bedi

All-rounders

• Rachin Ravindra (o)
• Shivam Dube

Bowlers

• Anshul Kamboj
• Khaleel Ahmed
• Matheesha Pathirana (o)
• Nathan Ellis (o)
• Noor Ahmad (o)
• Ramkrishna Ghosh

Having seen the ideal retained players list for CSK for IPL 2026, let’s now look at the CSK best playing 11 2026 based on the predicted retained players ahead of the IPL Mini Auction.  For the opening combination, Ayush Mhatre and Sanju Samson make up for a solid opening pair. With these two settled openers, Ruturaj Gaikwad should come in at number 3. This makes up for a solid top-order for the Chennai Super Kings.

Coming to the middle-order, since Jadeja isn’t there, CSK will rely on Rachin Ravindra at 4, Dewald Brevis at 5, and Shivam Dube at 6. This is a solid middle-order, with the only challenge being the ability of Rachin Ravindra to play at the number 4 position. Meanwhile, at 5 and 6, Brevis and Dube are great options to have.  For finishing, without the impact player, we should see MS Dhoni at 7. But ideally, CSK may want a solid All-rounder at 7, so that MS Dhoni has minimal role in the playing 11. 

In terms of bowling, CSK are pretty sorted, and they have Noor Ahmad leading the spin department, and Matheesha Pathirana, Khaleel Ahmed, and Anshul Kamboj leading the pace department. With these frontline bowlers, CSK will find support from Rachin Ravindra and Shivam Dube. But since we haven’t included the impact player yet, an Overseas or Indian bowling All-rounder shall solve most of their issues in the batting and bowling department.

IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Updated Best Playing 11 After Sanju Samson Trade

• Sanju Samson
• Ayush Mhatre
• Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
• Rachin Ravindra
• Shivam Dube
• Dewald Brevis
• MS Dhoni
• Anshul Kamboj
• Khaleel Ahmed
• Matheesha Pathirana
• Noor Ahmad

Impact Player: Urvil Patel / Ramkrishna Ghosh

So, that’s about the updated best playing 11 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after the potential Sanju Samson trade. Overall, it’s still a good playing 11, and in the Auction, if they get a good All-rounder – Indian or Overseas- their team looks good for the next year. This is considering CSK give Jadeja and Curran to RR. But if CSK does not give Jadeja or Curran to RR, their playing 11 is almost good even before entering the Auction. 

© IPLadda