CSK squad 2026: Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) entered the IPL 2026 Mini Auction with the second-largest purse among all franchises, trailing only Kolkata Knight Riders. With Rs 43.40 crore at their disposal and 369 players listed for the auction, CSK positioned themselves to play a decisive role in shaping the bidding dynamics in Abu Dhabi.
The Men in Yellow decided to invest big on the uncapped Indians, roping in Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma for Rs 14.20 crore each. They were also involved in a bidding war with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for Cameron Green who eventually went to KKR for Rs 25.2 crore.
Ahead of the auction, the franchise made bold calls in November by releasing 12 players, signalling a clear intent to reset the squad composition. Among those exits were two marquee names, moved via high-profile trades to the Rajasthan Royals, underlining CSK’s willingness to make tough decisions in pursuit of long-term balance.
Big trade signals shift in CSK’s core
The headline move of CSK’s pre-auction strategy was the acquisition of Sanju Samson, marking the biggest trade deal in the franchise’s history. To secure the wicketkeeper-batter, CSK parted ways with Ravindra Jadeja, one of their most dependable performers over the years, along with Sam Curran. The double exit reflects a significant shift in the team’s core as the franchise prepares for a new phase.
With questions surrounding what could be MS Dhoni’s final IPL season, the transition has been carefully managed. CSK have built a squad centred around captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, focusing heavily on batting depth while retaining bowlers who have shown promise in previous editions.
Batting depth prioritised ahead of transition phase
The retained squad highlights CSK’s emphasis on stability and firepower. Alongside Dhoni and Gaikwad, the presence of Samson strengthens the top order, while players like Shivam Dube and Dewald Brevis add flexibility in the middle. On the bowling front, the franchise has opted to back continuity, keeping a mix of Indian and overseas options to maintain balance.
Players retained by Chennai Super Kings
MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson (traded in from RR), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brewis, Shivam Dube, Urvil Patel, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Jamie Overton, Gurjapneet Singh, Anshul Kamboj
CSK players purchased in Auction 2026
Akeal Hosein (Rs 2 crore), Prashant Veer (Rs 14.20 crore), Kartik Sharma (Rs 14.20 crore), Matthew Short (Rs 1.5 crore), Aman Khan (Rs 40 lakh)