Chennai: Former India cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth has made a bold selection ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, leaving out a ₹14.20 crore signing while naming his preferred playing XI for Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
As anticipation builds for the new IPL season, experts have begun picking their ideal line-ups, and Srikkanth’s choices have sparked debate among fans, particularly due to the omission of a high-profile buy.
Big-money signing left out
In a surprising move, Krishnamachari Srikkanth excluded ₹14.20 crore recruit Kartik Sharma from his starting XI. Despite the hefty investment made by Chennai Super Kings, Srikkanth opted for a combination that prioritises balance and current form over price tags.
The decision underlines the former India opener’s emphasis on team composition rather than marquee signings, especially in a format as dynamic as T20 cricket.
Young openers get the nod
Srikkanth backed a youthful opening pair, selecting Sanju Samson alongside U19 World Cup-winning captain Ayush Mhatre.
At No. 3, CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad anchors the batting order, providing stability at the top.
Surprise call at No. 4
One of the most eye-catching selections came at No. 4, where Srikkanth preferred Urvil Patel over more established names like Sarfaraz Khan and the omitted Kartik Sharma.
This choice signals a focus on aggressive stroke play and intent in the middle overs, aligning with modern T20 demands.
Power-packed middle order
The middle order features a blend of youth and experience, with Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube and veteran MS Dhoni forming the core.
Srikkanth also included all-rounder Prashant Veer, another ₹14.20 crore signing, indicating selective backing of big-money players based on role suitability.
Balanced bowling attack
For the bowling unit, Srikkanth picked a mix of pace and spin. The pace attack is led by Matt Henry and Khaleel Ahmed, leaving out Anshul Kamboj.
Spin duties are spearheaded by Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmad, who impressed with 24 wickets in IPL 2025.
Impact Player choice
Interestingly, Srikkanth opted for wrist-spinner Rahul Chahar as his Impact Player, further strengthening the spin department.
Chahar, bought for ₹5.2 crore, adds tactical flexibility under the Impact Player rule, which allows teams to adjust combinations based on match situations.
Overseas combination strategy
Srikkanth’s XI features only three overseas players, leaving out names such as Akeal Hosein, Zakary Foulkes and Matt Short.
This approach reflects a strategy focused on maximising Indian talent while maintaining key overseas firepower.
Srikkanth’s CSK XI for IPL 2026
- Sanju Samson
- Ayush Mhatre
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Urvil Patel
- Dewald Brevis
- Shivam Dube
- MS Dhoni
- Prashant Veer
- Noor Ahmad
- Matt Henry
- Khaleel Ahmed
Impact Player: Rahul Chahar
Conclusion
Krishnamachari Srikkanth’s selection has added an intriguing layer to pre-season discussions, especially with the omission of a ₹14.20 crore player. His choices highlight the importance of team balance and adaptability over reputation and price tag.
As IPL 2026 gets underway, it remains to be seen whether Chennai Super Kings adopt a similar approach or stick to their own tried-and-tested combinations.