Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan revealed his preferred Chennai Super Kings playing combination for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season. Pathan made a bold call by omitting veteran MS Dhoni from his lineup for CSK’s first match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on March 30.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan backed Ayush Mhatre and Sanju Samson to open the batting. He placed skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad at number three, followed by the explosive middle-order pairing of Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis.
Irfan Pathan Picks Chennai Super Kings Playing XII; Leaves Out MS Dhoni
For the number six position, Irfan Pathan selected Sarfaraz Khan over MS Dhoni. He stated that Dhoni facing only the final few deliveries may entertain the crowd but does not provide enough tactical value to the team. He insisted that the legendary wicketkeeper must bat for longer to justify his selection.
“If MS Dhoni says that he is playing and will play regularly, then that’s one thing. If Dhoni plays, for at least the last two years, it’s true that even two overs are enough to please Chennai fans, but it doesn’t really benefit the Chennai team,” Irfan Pathan said.
Pathan noted that including Dhoni in the starting lineup would directly cost Sarfaraz Khan his place. For the lower middle order at numbers seven and eight, he picked uncapped recruits Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer, who both secured ₹14.2 crore deals during the auction.
In the bowling department, Pathan selected West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein and Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmad, who claimed 24 wickets during the 2025 season. He also included New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry, with Khaleel Ahmed as the Impact Player, leaving out Anshul Kamboj and Rahul Chahar.
Irfan Pathan’s CSK Playing XII: Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Sarfaraz Khan, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Akeal Hosein, Matt Henry, Noor Ahmad.
Impact Player: Khaleel Ahmed.
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