IPL 2026: Chennai Super Kings' strongest predicted XI against Kolkata Knight Riders

The Chennai Super Kings finally got their campaign underway with a victory over the Delhi Capitals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on April 11. This was their first win of IPL 2026, and their first victory at Chepauk in the last six games.  With a complete performance with bat, ball and in the field, they looked to have found balance in their combinations.

Rife with bowling options which suit the Chennai wicket, and with star batters finding runs again, the hopes are that this continues as an upward trend. While they still have a few gaps to address, they will be looking to carry forward the momentum when the Kolkata Knight Riders visit the Chepauk on April 14. 

Here is CSK's strongest probable XI vs KKR in Match 22:

Top order: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Sanju Samson (wk), Ayush Mhatre 

Sanju Samson is finally off the mark for the Super Kings. The opener notched up his first century in yellow against the Delhi Capitals. It was an innings of trademark Samson elegance as he manipulated the field and displayed his graceful strokeplay. On the other hand, Ruturaj Gaikwad is yet to get his season running. Against the Capitals, the skipper made a laborious 15 off 18 balls and has been criticised for his inability to start innings well. 

Ayush Mhatren scored his second half-century of the season against the Delhi Capitals and looks to have locked the spot at one-drop for himself. While there is a case for him and Ruturaj swapping positions due to the runs he scored as an opener in 2025, the youngster has excelled even in this new role.

Middle order: Dewald Brevis, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton

The addition of Dewald Brevis adds significant impetus to the Super Kings' middle order. The South African batter has the power to influence games with his clean ball-striking and wide array of shots. Sarfaraz Khan has seen a resurgence in 2026, having scored at a fast rate while coming in in the middle overs. His unconventional shots, combined with his ability to score off spin, have made him one of CSK’s most reliable batters in the early stages of the 2026 season.

Shivam Dube has largely been used as a finisher, coming in the last few overs to launch the ball all over the park. He scored an unbeaten 45 off 27 balls against the Punjab Kings and an unbeaten 20 off 10 balls against the Delhi Capitals. Both were innings where he took on the bowlers in the back end, helping them reach totals above 200. Jamie Overton was impressive with the ball, picking up 4/18 against the Capitals, but has stepped up with the bat, with scores of 37 and 43* in the games he has batted in.

Lower order/Bolwers: Akeal Hossein (Impact), Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurjapneet Singh, Noor Ahmad

Akeal Hossein came in as the impact sub for the Super Kings against the Capitals. While he went wicketless, he adds the extra spin option and can take the ball in the powerplay as well. Anshul Kamboj has been the pick of the bowlers for the Super Kings, picking up eight wickets despite going at an economy of 10.70.

Khaleel Ahmed and Noor Ahmad picked up their first wickets of the season against the Capitals. The Afghanistan left-arm wrist-spinner, Noor, bowled with control, and the Super Kings will be hopeful that this is just the start for him in recreating his performances from the 2025 season. Gurjapneet Singh made his debut against the Capitals and picked up a wicket off his first ball, finishing with a spell of 1/36 in his four overs.

Chennai Super Kings Predicted Playing XI

Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Sanju Samson (wk), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Gurjapneet Singh, Noor Ahmad

Impact Player: Akeal Hosein