Chennai Super Kings have found IPL 2026 a difficult campaign so far, with the five-time champions sitting in the lower half of the table on just four points from six matches. A long list of injuries has only made matters worse, disrupting their balance and forcing constant changes to the playing XI.
CSK began the season without MS Dhoni and South African youngster Dewald Brevis, both of whom missed the opening games. The injury concerns have continued to pile up, with Ayush Mhatre and Khaleel Ahmed also sidelined, while Australian pacer Nathan Ellis has been unavailable as well. For a team that has traditionally relied on stability and experience, the repeated setbacks have been a major challenge.
Former India batter and ex-chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes CSK have been hit harder than any other side by the injury crisis.
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“All the sides have injury concerns, but the most affected of these sides has been CSK,” Kris Srikkanth said. “Two in-form players, Khaleel and Ayush, in addition to MSD. They have been incredibly unlucky.”
Brevis had already missed the first three matches because of a side strain before returning against Delhi Capitals, but the bigger blow came when Khaleel injured himself during CSK’s clash with Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk. His absence has left a clear gap in the bowling attack.
The most damaging setback, however, came when Mhatre picked up a hamstring injury against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The young batter has been ruled out for the rest of the season, ending what had been one of CSK’s brighter stories this year.
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Mhatre had quickly become a dependable option for the franchise, giving the batting unit energy at the top and standing out as one of the team’s most promising performers. His absence now leaves CSK with an even bigger task as they try to recover their season and keep their playoff hopes alive.
