Predicted CSK playing XI vs SRH, IPL 2026: No MS Dhoni, who will replace Khaleel Ahmed?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be forced to make another change to their playing XI as Khaleel Ahmed has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). The southpaw has suffered a right quadricep injury, which will take him at least 12 weeks to recover. A weakened CSK bowling line-up will now have to deal with the absence of Khaleel, who happens to be one of their most economical bowlers over the last two seasons. They have very few options and will have to choose from an inexperienced bench strength. The most-likely option is Mukesh Choudhary.

Predicted CSK playing XI vs SRH

PositionPlayerRole

1.	Sanju Samson (WK)	Wicketkeeper-Batter
2.	Ruturaj Gaikwad (C)	Opener
3.	Ayush Mhatre	Batter
4.	Dewald Brevis	Batter
5.	Sarfaraz Khan	Batter
6.	Shivam Dube	All-rounder
7.	Akeal Hossain	Bowling all-rounder
8.	Jamie Overton	All-rounder
9.	Anshul Kamboj	Pacer
10.	Noor Ahmad	Spinner
11.	Mukesh Choudhary	Pacer
12.	Gurjapneet Singh	Pacer

MS Dhoni is unlikely to be a part of CSK’s playing XI in the game against SRH, although he has travelled with the team to Hyderabad. The former CSK captain skipped the first five matches after sustaining a calf strain before the start of IPL 2026. CSK, who have won two games consecutively, have not felt the lack of the veteran thus far. While he was seen practising in the nets on Friday, it is highly unlikely that he will be a part of CSK’s XI, or be used as an impact player on Saturday in the game against SRH.

Who will replace Khaleel Ahmed?

Khaleel was arguably one of CSK’s best pacers and had bagged 2 wickets from 5 matches, at an economy rate of 8.67 in IPL 2026. He had finished as the bowler with the most dot balls for the franchise in the previous edition of the tournament. With Nathan Ellis out and Spencer Johnson yet to join the side, CSK are left with no other option but to use Mukesh Choudhary as a replacement for Khaleel. Mukesh made his IPL debut back in 2022 and has played 16 games for CSK, in which he has managed to pick up 17 wickets. Although he is quite expensive, CSK are left with very few options, and are yet to sign an injury replacement for Ahmed.

Gurjapneet and Anshul Kamboj will serve as the other pacers along with Jamie Overton. Meanwhile, Akeal Hossain could come in as an impact player to bolster the spin unit, while CSK might decide to sub out Ayush Mhatre if they are batting first. In the absence of MS Dhoni, the team could also use either Prashant Veer or Karthik Sharma as well as impact players.

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