The excitement around the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 continues to grow as teams finalize their combinations for what promises to be another blockbuster season. Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings are entering the tournament with a significantly revamped squad and a fresh tactical direction.
The franchise made headlines with a massive trade for Sanju Samson, signaling a new era built around youth and attacking cricket. Along with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, the franchise is placing strong faith in a younger core to lead their revival after a disappointing campaign in the previous season.
With discussions around team combinations heating up, former India all-rounder and coach Sanjay Bangar has now shared his thoughts on what he believes could be the ideal batting order for CSK in the upcoming season.
Sanjay Bangar outlines CSK’s probable batting order
Speaking on Star Sports, Bangar emphasized that Gaikwad should continue opening the innings, insisting that the CSK skipper has produced his best performances at the top of the order. According to Bangar, the team experimented in the previous season by splitting the opening partnership of Gaikwad and Devon Conway, hoping to strengthen the middle order. However, he believes that approach did not bring the desired results.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad should bat at the top of the order only. Last year, they tried to separate Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad so that the entire cream isn’t at the top. However, that thought process didn’t give them success. Ruturaj Gaikwad has played his best cricket at the top of the order,” Bangar said.
The former India batting coach suggested that Gaikwad should open alongside promising youngster Ayush Mhatre, forming an aggressive opening pair capable of setting the tone in the powerplay. Bangar also backed Samson to slot in at No. 3, a role that could allow the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter to stabilize the innings while maintaining a high scoring rate.
Further down the order, Bangar believes the explosive Dewald Brevis should occupy the No. 4 position, providing attacking intent in the middle overs. He added that the No. 5 slot could be filled by either all-rounder Shivam Dube or young batter Kartik Sharma, depending on match conditions and team balance.
Bangar also noted that CSK possess considerable batting depth this season, giving them the flexibility to adopt a more aggressive approach compared to previous campaigns.
“He plays very well there, and Ayush Mhatre plays with him. I see Sanju Samson playing at No. 3. Dewald Brevis will play at No. 4. Either Shivam Dube or Kartik Sharma can come at No. 5. As regards adopting a new approach, I feel this team has a lot of might in the batting department,” Bangar added.
High expectations from the five-time champions
CSK head into IPL 2026 with a clear redemption narrative after finishing at the bottom of the points table in 2025. The franchise has taken bold steps to rebuild its squad, shifting focus from experienced veterans to a dynamic group of young Indian talents. The blockbuster trade for Samson is expected to play a key role in transforming CSK’s batting lineup. The wicketkeeper-batter is likely to share responsibility with Gaikwad in shaping the team’s top order and guiding the side through high-pressure situations.
Fans are also eager to see how uncapped prospects such as Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma perform in the absence of long-time stalwarts like Ravindra Jadeja. Their emergence could define the success of CSK’s youth-driven rebuild. Meanwhile, the presence of veteran icon MS Dhoni continues to provide invaluable leadership within the squad. Although Dhoni is expected to operate primarily as a finisher or tactical Impact Player, his experience remains a crucial asset as CSK chase a record sixth IPL title.
CSK’s campaign will begin on March 30 with a high-profile clash against Rajasthan Royals, a match that could offer the first glimpse of how their new-look lineup performs under pressure.
