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Ravichandran Ashwin suggested massive changes in CSK that could make them a stronger team after a poor IPL 2026 season.
The former CSK spinner suggested three key names that CSK can bring into the team combination in IPL 2027 to significantly improve their team balance.
Of the three names he took, two are former CSK players, while one is speculated to join the franchise next year.
CSK in IPL 2026
In IPL 2026, the Chennai franchise finished eighth in the points table, barely improving from the last position in IPL 2025.
In the middle it seemed that CSK could do something special this season, but the beginning and the end ruined their season.
CSK had a mid-stage season where they won 6 out of 8 matches and had a slight chance of reaching the playoffs. Unfortunately, this phase was punctuated by two separate defeats of three matches each.
Ultimately, Chennai Super Kings finished with 6 wins from 14 matches and have now gone three consecutive years without making the top four.
Ashwin suggests CSK to choose Stokes, Pathirana and Hardik
Ravichandran Ashwin on Twitter (formerly Twitter) said that three players can help revive the franchise.
The spinner was replying to a fan who asked whether the Super Kings should consider buying back Sri Lankan fast bowler Mathiesha Pathirana if his current franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, has dropped him back into the auction pool.
Ashwin replied in the affirmative and suggested that CSK should also add England Test captain Ben Stokes.
Ashwin wrote in his reply, “Pathirana, 07:07 and Stokes! Opening ✓ Dubey and 07:07 mid order/end ✓ overton and stokes equilibrium ✓”.
07:07 Presumably a reference to Hardik Pandya, who recently uploaded an Instagram story showing those numbers with his phone screen.
Pathirana, 07:07 and Stokes!
Inauguration
Dubey and 07:07 mid-order/completion
Overton and Stokes Balance https://t.co/kSALlKQDCp– Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) 26 May 2026
CSK’s next plan
After all, there is a lot of speculation on what moves CSK might take before the start of IPL 2027.
If reports and rumors are to be believed, Ruturaj Gaikwad may be out as captain. Both he and head coach Stephen Fleming are reportedly under pressure over the declining performance of the franchise.
Former captain MS Dhoni did not play any matches this year and there is a lot of speculation about whether he will make a comeback. In 2026, the official cause was a calf strain followed by a thumb injury.
But many things have been mentioned in the reports regarding his absence. Some claimed that he had already retired, while others claimed that he was slowly retiring himself. One report even claimed that Dhoni had separated from the franchise and did not play even after being completely fit.
The viral video of Hardik Pandya’s meeting with CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanathan also fueled rumors that Pandya may move to Chennai after leading Mumbai Indians to the second position this year.
Also read: Pakistan legend rules out Rohit Sharma, but picks Virat Kohli and another Indian in ODI World XI
