CSK in 2026: A season of stagnation amid flickers of hope

When you reach the bottom, the only way is up. Chennai Super Kings finished 10th last season and climbed to 8th in IPL 2026, with two additional wins. The season began and finished with three successive losses. Between those stretches, there were glimpses of promise. Ayush Mhatre gave reason for optimism, Sanju Samson delivered in his maiden season for the franchise, Anshul Kamboj's stocks went up, and Jamie Overton emerged as a new hero.

Injuries at crucial junctures didn't help CSK's cause, disrupting combinations and momentum. Frustration grew among the fanbase after a third consecutive season without a playoff appearance. CSK closed IPL 2026 with cautious hope around a young core, growing criticism directed at the coach-captain setup, and the lingering MS Dhoni question after his no-show this season.

Player of the season: Jamie Overton

Despite playing just 10 games, Overton stood out as CSK's best player. His absence at the end proved costly, hurting their push for the final playoff spot. Overton was the key enforcer in the middle overs, providing breakthroughs at crucial moments. He picked 14 wickets from 10 games and was also a key figure in the lower middle order with the bat, especially in Dhoni's absence.

CSK's opening partnership ranked last in run rate and 9th in average among all teams. Only once did Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson bat beyond the Powerplay together. While Samson finished as their best batter, Gaikwad endured a difficult campaign, registering one of the lowest strike rates among regular openers.

A mini-auction pick that…

Looked a million bucks: Akeal Hosein

CSK won most of the games Hosein played. He picked up 8 wickets from 7 games, conceding runs at only 8.02 an over. His presence also elevated Noor Ahmad's performances. The West Indies spinner was bought for his base price of INR 2 crore.

Didn't work out: Prashant Veer

Veer's acquisition for INR 14.2 crore now looks like a failed gamble. He played just six games. The other big money signing, Kartik Sharma, endured a hard time as well before redeeming himself at the end.

Best match of the season: The win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede. Samson scored his second century for CSK before Hosein and Noor combined to pick six wickets, subjecting MI to a 103-run defeat.

On a scale of 1-10: 4/10

A season headlined by injuries and poor form from leading stars, CSK felt like a team constantly falling behind the new order. While there were encouraging individual signs, the campaign demands serious retrospection and clarity heading into the final year of the ongoing cycle.