Predicted CSK playing XI vs RCB, IPL 2026: Dewald Brevis to return but how can bowling woes be resolved?

While CSK boast of a strong batting unit, it is the bowling department where they have inexperienced & underperforming stars that needs a quick fix

Chennai Super Kings find themselves in the same position that they were left reeling in the previous season – a weak bowling attack, lack of intent from batters barring a few and the struggle to find the perfect team combination. After suffering a 8-wicket thrashing at the hands of RR in their IPL 2026 opener, Ruturaj Gaikwad and co. suffered a 5-wicket loss at the hands of PBKS in their second game, despite a promising show with the bat. CSK will have to make desperate amends to their playing XI in order to to winning ways, else they will risk finishing at the bottom of the points table for the second consecutive year.

The next match will be no easy one for the five-time champions, as they will lock horns with defending champions RCB. CSK’s main worry is their bowling and as admitted by their head coach Stephen Fleming, perhaps it is their flawed auction strategy that is coming back to haunt them in IPL 2026. While they boast of a strong batting unit, it is the bowling department where they have inexperienced and underperforming stars that needs a quick fix.

Predicted CSK playing XI vs RCB

Brevis to return?

CSK missed Dewald Brevis greatly in the first two matches of IPL 2026. In their tournament opener against RR, the five-time champs faltered, with their batting order facing a collapse. In the second game, it was Mhatre (73) and Sarfaraz (32) who did the heavy-lifting for CSK but in vain as their bowlers failed to defend the 210-run target. While Sanju Samson has absolutely failed in IPL 2026 so far, with scores of 7 and 6, Gaikwad showed some promise in the second game but failed to convert it to a big knock.

It is here where CSK would desperately need Brevis to boost their run-rate in the middle-overs. Baby AB was forced to miss the forced two games owing to a side strain. However, with CSK finding themselves in a dire and must-win situation vs RCB, Brevis may return and prove to be just what CSK need. In his maiden season for the Men in Yellow, Brevis amassed 225 runs in just 6 matches after being signed mid-season, striking at 180. Should he bat at 4, he will give CSK the much-needed stability in the middle-order, with Sarfaraz and Dube to support him.

CSK’s bowling woes

It’s too late for CSK to resolve their bowling woes and by no means can they do any better now, unless their existing pack pull up their socks. Khaleel has been decent thus far but it is the likes of Matt Henry and Anshul Kamboj who have been quite expensive. Noor, who was the highest wicket-taker for the side in the previous season, was quite expensive in the previous game. The move to bring in Rahul Chahar backfired as well, as the spinner was quite expensive, having conceded 46 runs in his 4 overs.