Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has named his best playing XI combination for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2026 and surprisingly has kept legendary MS Dhoni out of his choices.
Irfan Pathan chose Ayush Mhatre and CSK’s newest acquisition Sanju Samson as openers, with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad coming at no. 3. India’s T20 World Cup silent hero Shivam Dube comes in at no. 4, while South African wonderkid Dewald Brevis comes in at no. 5.
Pathan then discussed who should bat at no. 6 and that if MS Dhoni doesn’t play all the games, there should be someone else finishing the games for CSK. Over the last five seasons, Dhoni has faced 107, 188, 57, 73, and 145 balls, averaging 114. In comparison, Hardik Pandya averages 204.8 balls faced in the same time period.
While it reflects Dhoni's declining powers, the CSK veteran has also purposefully pushed himself down the order, which has been aided by the introduction of the Impact Player rule.
“Sarfaraz Khan has a place in this team at number six. But if MS Dhoni says he’ll play regularly… because at some time, even the world’s best batter has to retire. Will he play all games? Will he not? I have been saying this for a long time; his being out there for two overs is certainly pleasing for Dhoni’s fans, but CSK doesn't benefit from it.
If Dhoni has to play, it has to be four overs; only then does it benefit the team. If he doesn’t play, then does he think ‘Let’s make a team where batters get the best chance?’ because it’s Dhoni’s team,” Pathan said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Pathan further picked both of the new CSK recruits, Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, in his XI. He then went with Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad as the two spinners, with Matt Henry as the sole pacer. Pathan also named Khaleel Ahmed as the impact player for CSK.
Irfan Pathan’s CSK 12:
Sanju Samson (WK), Ayush Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Sarfaraz Khan, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Akeal Hosein, Matt Henry, Noor Ahm, ad and Khaleel Ahmed (impact player)
