They have teams in three different leagues.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are one of the most successful franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). But they are catching up when it comes to the globalisation of their brand. Apart from the IPL team, they have sister franchises in two other T20 leagues around the globe.
India Cements, who own the CSK franchise, have expanded its brand with Joburg Super Kings in SA20 and Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket (MLC). They have had some terrific players showcasing their talent in these three leagues this year.
It would be interesting to come up with the Chennai Super Kings franchise XI. This CSK off-season XI will feature players from across global leagues, barring IPL 2025.
Faf du Plessis will open the innings for the CSK off-season XI, having done well in both SA20 and MLC 2025. Du Plessis made 286 runs for Joburg Super Kings at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 138. He was outstanding in MLC, where he struck 468 runs in the season at a strike rate of 170 while averaging 52.
Partnering with him will be Jonny Bairstow, who made 232 runs in South Africa at an average of 38 and a strike rate of 134. He batted in the middle order for the most part, but opening suits him better.
Devon Conway hasn’t been at his best this year for any of the Super Kings teams. But lack of options means he gets into this line-up along with Leus du Ploy.
Shubham Ranjane had an excellent season for the Texas Super Kings recently. Batting in the middle order, he made 268 runs at an average of 67 while striking at 160.
Donovan Ferreira was the biggest positive for the Super Kings this year as he showed real growth. He struck 163 runs in the SA20 at a strike rate of 155 and was even better in MLC 2025, where he smashed 248 runs at a strike rate of 218. Ferreira has grown into the lower-middle finisher role. On the back of these performances, CSK are reportedly trying to trade him in the IPL from Delhi Capitals.
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The bowling attack for the CSK off-season XI will have a pace battery of Adam Milne, Hardus Viljoen, and Lutho Sipamla. In the spin department, there will be Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein, along with Ferreira.
Noor Ahmad has played for CSK and Texas Super Kings this year, and was their top wicket-taker in both leagues. He picked 15 wickets in the MLC at an economy of 8.04. Akeal was magnificent in Major League Cricket, taking 10 wickets in six innings at an economy of just 4.80. Ferreira was superb with his off-spin bowling in his home league, snaring eight wickets at 5.81 rpo.
Hardus Viljoen had a terrific SA20 campaign earlier this year, where he claimed 14 scalps in just eight games at 7.92 economy. Sipamla also had a decent tournament with 12 wickets at an economy of 8.26.
The Kiwi speedster Adam Milne had an outstanding season for the Texas Super Kings recently. He snared 14 wickets in just six matches while conceding at 7.10. Milne could earn himself a bid in the IPL 2026 auction on the back of this performance.
Here’s the best CSK off-season XI:
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