Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shared his preferred playing XI for Chennai Super Kings in the absence of MS Dhoni, who is set to miss the first two weeks of IPL 2026.
CSK's playing XI
Ashwin suggested that young batter Kartik Sharma could bat at No. 7, a position Dhoni would usually take if he were available. CSK will begin their campaign against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on Monday, before playing their first home game against Punjab Kings on April 3.
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Sharing his thoughts on X, Ashwin wrote, “So!! This should be ideal. Ruturaj, Samson, Urvil, Brevis, Dube, Sarfaraz/Ayush, Kartik Sharma, Akeal, Noor, Henry, Khaleel, Kamboj/Ghosh/Rahul/Gopal. After 2 weeks, there will be enough info available to tweak if needed.”
With Dhoni unavailable, Sanju Samson is likely to take over wicketkeeping duties for the five-time champions. The 31-year-old joined CSK from Rajasthan in a high-profile trade that saw Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran move the other way.
CSK have also invested heavily in young talent, spending big money in the 2025 auction to sign Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer. With Dhoni out, both players could get important opportunities in the early matches of the season.
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CSK's outing in IPL 2025
Last year, Dhoni returned to lead the side after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out with a fractured elbow. However, it turned out to be a difficult season for CSK as they finished at the bottom of the table.
Meanwhile, Ashwin had announced his retirement from the IPL a few months after the season, as he looked to play in overseas leagues. He had signed up with Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, but had to pull out later due to a knee injury.
Will Dhoni feature as impact sub in IPL 2026?
There has also been discussion about whether Dhoni might play as an “impact sub” this season. Fans and experts have suggested that his real value lies in guiding and supporting players like Ruturaj Gaikwad rather than coming in for short bursts. Last season, Dhoni’s batting position was frequently shuffled, sometimes as low as No. 8.