A lot of eyeballs this year would be on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and how their new-look squad, brimming with talented youngsters, performs at the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). 

CSK have a squad full of potential, but some might say that they lack experience in certain positions. This could lead to multiple chopping and changing in the early parts of the season. However, once the combination is settled, it could get really difficult for certain players to break into the team and feature at all in the entire tournament. 

However, doors are never locked for any player, and they can easily feature for their franchise due to injuries or impressing during training and net sessions. 

Here are 3 CSK players who might be benched for entire IPL 2026: 3. Matthew Short (Batting all-rounder)

Matthew Short was signed by CSK at the most recent mini auction for his base price of INR 1.50 crore. However, it feels like the 30-year-old was picked up as a potential replacement or backup for other overseas players in the squad, most notably Dewald Brevis. Based on the South African’s form and performances in yellow last season, it is a safe bet that the 22-year-old will be CSK’s first-choice overseas batter.

Short is an experienced 30-year-old batter well capable of bowling some tidy offbreaks. The Australian, however, is a top-order batter, a position that would be occupied by the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre and Sanju Samson, CSK’s latest signing. Short, therefore, might be facing a season of sitting on the bench in Chennai.

2. Shreyas Gopal (Bowling all-rounder) Shreyas Gopal. (Photo source: X/CSK)

Shreyas Gopal has made 52 appearances in the IPL, most of them being for Rajasthan Royals. The spinner was picked up by CSK at the 2025 mega-auction but failed to make an appearance that season. Things could unfortunately be the same for the 32-year-old in 2026.

CSK have a host of spinners in their ranks who are higher up the pecking order than Gopal. These include the likes of Noor Ahmed, Akeal Hosein and Rahul Chahar. The latter was signed by the five-time champions for INR 5.20 crore at the mini auction, which could very well imply that he is amongst the players in the management’s plans this season.

1. Urvil Patel (Wicketkeeper-batter) Urvil-Patel. (Photo source: IPL)

Being a young wicketkeeper within the CSK ranks has to be the most difficult job in the IPL across teams and unfortunately for Urvil Patel, he finds himself in that exact position. Despite turning 45 this year, MS Dhoni remains one of the mainstays of the Super Kings' playing XI. CSK, however, have already signed Sanju Samson as a potential long-term replacement for their legendary former captain.

With two India greats ahead of him in the pecking order, Urvil might struggle to get game time in 2026. It is worth mentioning, though, that Urvil did play three times for CSK last season, scoring just 68 runs at a very healthy strike rate of 212.50. There is a lot of promise and potential within the wicketkeeper hailing from Gujarat but he might have to wait for his time to come.