IPL 2026: If Not Ayush Mhatre, Then Who? Ruturaj Gaikwad Himself Reveals CSK's New Opening Pair

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has revealed his team’s opening pair ahead of IPL 2026. In the previous season, the 29-year-old Gaikwad batted at number 3, sending Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra out to open the innings.

Prior to the start of this season, Gaikwad confirmed that he will open the innings alongside CSK’s new recruit, Sanju Samson, who was acquired in a trade involving Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. In this scenario, Ayush Mhatre could be slotted in at number 3, while Urvil Patel also presents an intriguing option.

A Major Change in CSK’s Opening Pair

Earlier, former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin had also explicitly stated that the pairing of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson in the top order was his first choice. He emphasized that both cricketers are capable of playing aggressive cricket right from the start, thereby setting a strong momentum for the middle-order batsmen.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin remarked:

“Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson possess a magnificent ‘pedigree.’ By ‘pedigree,’ I mean consistently scoring excellent runs over a prolonged period and maintaining one’s form—something we must not overlook. Personally, I would love to see these two playing with full intensity in the opening slots. Both possess distinct strengths: one caresses the ball with elegance, while the other strikes it with power; thus, they embody both these qualities. I would view it from the perspective that I have two exceptional opening batsmen at my disposal.” — R. Ashwin

What Will CSK’s Middle Order Look Like?

The responsibility for CSK’s middle order is expected to rest on the shoulders of Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube, who are likely to bat at numbers 4 and 5, respectively. Both players possess the capability to finish matches effectively.

However, the team still has the option of calling upon MS Dhoni. If this legendary wicketkeeper-batsman bats at number 6, it will be truly special for the franchise. Dhoni is a master at finishing matches. Although he may have faced fewer deliveries over the past few years, he possesses the full capability to turn the tide of a match.

When and Against Whom is CSK’s First Match?

Chennai Super Kings will play their first match of IPL 2026 against Rajasthan Royals on March 30th, starting at 7:30 PM.

Chennai Super Kings Match Schedule

March 30 – Rajasthan Royals vs CSK, Guwahati, 7:30 PM

April 3 – Punjab Kings vs CSK, Chennai, 7:30 PM

April 5 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs CSK, Bengaluru, 7:30 PM

April 11 – Delhi Capitals vs CSK, Chennai, 7:30 PM

CSK Squad, IPL 2026: The Complete CSK Team

Batters – Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan

Wicketkeepers – MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Kartik Sharma, Urvil Patel

All-rounders – Anshul Kamboj, Jamie Overton, Ramkrishna Ghosh, Prashant Veer, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Jack Fox, Shivam Dube

Bowlers – Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Shreyas Gopal, Gurjapneet Singh, Akeal Hosein, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar