After suffering a loss in their very first game of Indian Premier League (IPL 2026), Chennai Super Kings will be looking to make amends to their line-up when they face Punjab Kings in their next contest. In the battle of Kings, CSK will be eyeing to rejig their battling line-up, making changes to their top and middle order while their bowling unit is largely to stay unchanged. For starters, CSK’s desicion to demote Ayush Mhatre did not work in their favour and neither did their move to play captain Ruturaj Gaikwad as the opener.
Predicted CSK XI vs PBKS, IPL 2026
| Position | Player | Role |
| 1. | Sanju Samson (WK) | Wicketkeeper-batter |
| 2. | Ayush Mhatre | Opener |
| 3. | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Batter |
| 4. | Urvil Patel | All-rounder |
| 5. | Shivam Dube | All-rounder |
| 6. | Sarfaraz Khan | Batter |
| 7. | Jamie Overton | All-rounder |
| 8. | Matt Henry | Fast-bowler |
| 9. | Anshul Kamboj | Fast-bowler |
| 10. | Noor Ahmad | Spinner |
| 11. | Khaleel Ahmed | Fast-Bowler |
No more Mhatre at 3?
Although it is highly impossible that CSK will revert to allowing Mhatre to open the innings once again, it seems like it is the only way around, as Gaikwad failed in the previous innings. Make no mistake, the CSK captain has amassed majority of the runs in his IPL career while batting at number 1 or 2. Mhatre was dismissed for a golden duck in CSK’s IPL 2026 opener against RR while batting at number 3. With 240 runs from 7 matches at an average of 34.28, Mhatre indeed was one of the best things to happen to CSK in a what was a forgettable season for them.
Meanwhile, in 60 out of 71 IPL games that Gaikwad has played in, he has batted at either number 1 or 2 position. Over 90% of the total runs that he has scored in IPL so far have come while he has batted as an opener. Therefore, it would make very little sense for CSK to once again use Gaikwad at number 3. As pointed out earlier, it is highl unlikely to happen. Therefore, despite a strong urge to allow Mhatre to open the innings, it might not be the case in CSK vs PBKS.
Urvil Patel back?
Patel. who made his mark in the previous seasons with limited opportunities, did not find a spot in the playing XI in CSK’s IPL 2026 opener. Known to be explosive while batting in the top four, the wicketkeeper-batter scored 68 runs in the 3 games that he featured in, in his debut season with a highest score of 37. CSK could might as well use Urvil’s expertise in the top four, especially in the absence of Dewald Brevis.
What about Sarfaraz Khan?
Safaraz Khan managed to score just 17 runs off 12 balls in his debut for CSK in the previous game. The season is a golden opportunity for the Mumbi batter to revive his T20 career. However, his lacklustre performance in the game against RR may prove to be a bane for him. But, going by CSK’s newly developed culture, the team is most likely to give him another chance, even if they use him as impact player.
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