The 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League starts this week and the schedule for the initial phase has already been released. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has made a bold statement regarding five time champions Chennai Super Kings in a recent video which was put out on his YouTube channel. In the video Aakash Chopra has included only three overseas players in his CSK’s probable playing 11 suggesting that their Indian players are good enough.
Aakash Chopra also said that Chennai Super Kings have to open with Ayush Mhatre and Samson with Ruturaj Gaikwad coming at three, followed by Dewald Brevis at four. Speaking on his channel, Aakash Chopra said "What will be this team's XI? Ayush Mhatre and Sanju Samson to open, Ruturaj Gaikwad at No. 3, and Dewald Brevis at No. 4. Dewald Brevis is brilliant. This team will depend a lot on him. Then Shivam Dube, and after him, either Kartik Sharma or Prashant Veer, or both, and then MS Dhoni. You can do that job for sure," he said.
Speaking on the bowling combination, Aakash Chopra said that Khaleel, Noor and Henry will be leading the bowling attack. "Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed and Matt Henry - that makes it your three bowlers. The impact player you have to use, you can keep Rahul Chahar and Shreyas Gopal there. Ramakrishna Ghosh is in good form. Can you use him? This is the kind of setup I am looking for," he said. Later in the video, Aakash Chopra also mentioned that Sanju Samson will be the highest run getter in this edition.
Aakash Chopra's CSK probable playing 11 for IPL 2026:
Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, MS Dhoni, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matt Henry
