Shreyas Gopal

Shreyas Gopal is a seasoned leg-spinning all-rounder from Karnataka who has become a reliable figure in the IPL since his debut in 2014. Chennai Super Kings secured his services for ₹30 lakh in the IPL 2026 auction, adding a layer of experienced wrist-spin to their bowling arsenal. Gopal is famously etched in IPL history for his incredible hat-trick against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019, where he dismissed the heavyweight trio of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Marcus Stoinis in a single over. Over his career, he has claimed over 50 wickets with an economy rate of 8.21, proving his ability to pick up crucial wickets during the middle-over squeeze.

Beyond his bowling, Gopal is a valuable lower-order batter and a former captain of the Karnataka age-group sides, reflecting his deep tactical understanding of the game. His domestic form heading into the 2026 season has been nothing short of spectacular; he recently recorded a 'record' hat-trick in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy by dismissing Hardik and Krunal Pandya for golden ducks. With over 250 first-class wickets and multiple centuries to his name, he transitions into the 'Yellow Army' not just as a specialist spinner, but as a genuine 'utility player' capable of turning matches with both bat and ball. His experience and recent form make him a strategic backup and a potential match-winner on the spin-friendly tracks of Chennai.