"I think is going to be a starter in the playing XI" - Former RCB coach on CSK ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coach Sanjay Bangar has opined that Ayush Mhatre would be a part of the Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) preferred playing XI in IPL 2026 as a No. 3 batter. He reckoned that Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson would open the batting for the franchise.

CSK have a remaining purse of ₹43.40 crore to buy at most nine players, including four overseas, at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, December 16. Mhatre was acquired as a replacement for the injured Gaikwad during IPL 2025 and was retained ahead of the mini auction.

During an interaction on Star Sports, Bangar was asked whether Gaikwad would open alongside Samson or bat at No. 3, with Mhatre batting at the top of the order in such a scenario.

"I think, more or less, they started this rebuilding phase in the last season itself, wherein they found that they didn't have a chance to make it to the playoffs. So they started giving opportunities. They spotted Ayush Mhatre, who I think is going to be a starter in the playing XI, batting at No. 3," he responded.

The former India all-rounder added that CSK need to acquire a No. 4 batter, with Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis potentially batting at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

"No. 4 slot is still an open-ended thing. So they would want to have somebody at No. 4 because Brevis and Dube can do a very, very good job at No. 5 and No. 6. I would say Brevis at No. 6. So that No. 4 spot can go to an experienced overseas batter," Bangar observed.

With 357 runs at a strike rate of 132.22 in 14 innings, Shivam Dube was CSK's highest run-getter in IPL 2025. Dewald Brevis smashed 225 runs at a strike rate of 180.00 in six innings in this year's edition of the Indian Premier League.

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"He would gel in quite nicely in the CSK setup" - Sanjay Bangar on Nathan Ellis ahead of IPL 2026 auction

Nathan Ellis played a solitary game for CSK in IPL 2025. [P/C: Getty]

In the same interaction, Sanjay Bangar opined that Nathan Ellis would feature in the Chennai Super Kings' preferred playing XI.

"Nathan Ellis is in the playing XI. The good thing about Ellis is that he has got those change-ups. He can bowl with the new ball as well, and he is a very, very good fielder. Good team person as well. So he would gel in quite nicely in the CSK setup," he reasoned.

While observing that the surface would decide Jamie Overton's inclusion in the XI, the former India batting coach named Cameron Green and Liam Livingstone as potential acquisitions for the five-time IPL champions.

"Overton, whether they opt to play with him, depends on the type of surface. Cameron Green can be the person who can fit in because he is batting slightly higher up the order. If they have to purchase one more overseas player because they have plenty of money, Liam Livingstone is a very good option for them," Bangar elaborated.

Sanjay Bangar highlighted that Liam Livingstone can spin the ball both ways. He added that the England all-rounder can also play the finisher's role if Dewald Brevis runs out of form.