Mohit Sharma picks his all-time CSK playing XI ahead of IPL 2026; leaves out three-time champion

Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) seamer Mohit Sharma has picked his all-time XI for the franchise ahead of IPL 2026, snubbing three-time champion and former opener Murali Vijay, who scored 1708 runs in 70 innings for the team. The 37-year-old shared his picks in a Cricbuzz YouTube video, naming Michael Hussey and current CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad as the openers.

Before retiring after the 2015 season, Hussey played 50 games for CSK and scored 1768 runs, including 13 fifties and a hundred. Meanwhile, Gaikwad made his debut for the franchise in 2020 and has since remained with the team, scoring 2502 runs in 70 innings, hitting 20 fifties and two hundreds.

Mohit placed former Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis at No. 3. The South African made 2721 runs for CSK and was part of two title-winning campaigns. Suresh Raina followed in the lineup and remains the franchise’s second-highest run-getter with 4687 runs in 171 innings.

Further down the order, Mohit included Ambati Rayudu, who won three titles with CSK and scored 1932 runs in 80 innings. He then picked MS Dhoni as captain. All five of CSK’s IPL titles have come under Dhoni’s leadership, and he also remains the leading run-getter for the franchise, amassing 4865 runs in 215 innings with 22 fifties.

The 37-year-old then included Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7, who will represent Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2026. During his time with CSK, Jadeja played 186 games, scoring 2198 runs and taking 143 wickets.

Deepak Chahar gets a place in Mohit Sharma’s all-time CSK playing XI

In the bowling department, Mohit Sharma picked Ravichandran Ashwin at No. 8. During his IPL career with the Super Kings, Ashwin played 106 games and took 97 wickets. He then included Dwayne Bravo, who won three titles with CSK, scoring 1004 runs and taking 140 wickets in 116 matches for the franchise.

Former South Africa all-rounder Albie Morkel was slotted in at No. 10. During his stint with CSK, Morkel scored 827 runs, including two fifties, and picked up 76 wickets in 78 matches.

Mohit rounded off the side with Deepak Chahar at No. 11, who currently plays for Mumbai Indians (MI). Chahar represented CSK from 2018 to 2024 and took 76 wickets in as many innings.

Mohit Sharma’s all-time CSK XI: Michael Hussey, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c/wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel, Deepak Chahar.