They finished at the bottom in IPL 2025.
The IPL 2026 Auction is around the corner, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are likely to make a few big calls. The five-time champions had a disastrous campaign in the IPL 2025, getting a wooden spoon after finishing at the bottom.
The team management could make some tough decisions ahead of the next season as they look to get back to the top.
Here’s a look at the likely CSK Retention List, players who could be released, and how the CSK squad might shape up.
Chennai Super Kings are known for backing their core group. But ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction, the franchise might tweak a few spots. Here’s a look at the likely CSK Retention List:
CSK may stick to their philosophy of continuity. Players who offer multi-dimensional skills or form the leadership core are likelier to be retained. Some potential names:
Ruturaj Gaikwad – Has been their best batter in the last four seasons and has captained the team.
Shivam Dube – Consistent middle-order power-hitter.
Matheesha Pathirana – Death bowling specialist with an immense upside.
Ravindra Jadeja – All-rounder who has been with the franchise for over a decade.
Noor Ahmad – One of the best spinners going around in the T20 circuit.
Dewald Brevis – Came in as a replacement in the second half and ended up as their best batter of the IPL 2025. Young and huge potential.
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Chennai could look to part ways with a few underperformers or ageing stars to free up budget. Here’s the expected CSK Released Players List:
These are the key players who struggled for form or didn’t fit the balance CSK wanted:
Ravichandran Ashwin – High price tag of INR 9.75 crore and could not deliver up to the expectations.
Rachin Ravindra – Great potential but hasn’t developed as they would have liked. Doesn’t fit in the side with multiple domestic top order options.
Devon Conway – Form and fitness issues. Can free up INR 6.25 crore.
Sam Curran – Doesn’t offer much with the ball and batting is not as valuable.
Rahul Tripathi – Struggled to make a mark before younger players outperformed.
Deepak Hooda – Poor output and doesn’t offer much value down the order.
HS
–
PAL
–
MAL-W
–
ASM-W
–
INA
130/8
PHL
183/6
Philippines beat Indonesia by 53 runs
PHL
–
SK
–
INA
–
PHL
–
GRC-W
–
TKW-W
–
SBA-W
–
BUL-W
–
TKW-W
–
SBA-W
–
BSP
169/5
BMP
101/7
BCC Spartan beat BSCU – MU Plovdiv by 68 runs
SOST
127/3
MAR
124/6
Sofia Stars beat MUS Akademik Ravens by 7 wickets
MAR
94/2
BSP
91/9
MUS Akademik Ravens won by 8 wickets
SOST
110/6
MAR
121/8
MUS Akademik Ravens beat Sofia Stars by 11 runs
LEST
–
LEUL
–
OSTG
–
LEST
–
ATPG
–
BRBA
–
LEUL
–
ATPG
–
BRBA
–
GENW
–
SCO-W
164/10
DGW-W
202/4
Dragons Women beat Scorchers Women by 38 runs
TYP-W
180/4
DGW-W
191/3
Dragons Women beat Typhoons Women by 11 runs
SCO-W
–
TYP-W
–
GUE
–
SCOT
–
Match Abandoned
ITA
–
JER
–
Match Abandoned due to rain
ENGU19
–
INDU19
–
MECS
143/6
TCC
297/2
FEK
–
GUJCC
–
MR
203/6
THUO
84/10
Malaysia Reds beat Thunderstorm Outlanders by 119 runs
WAF
–
MINY
–
LAKR
–
SFU
–
ENGA-W
–
NZA-W
–
OAW
136/9
RWT
138/8
Ruby White Town Legends beat Ossudu Accord Warriors by 2 runs
KAK
–
MMS
–
YAR
–
VMK
–
ML
120/7
TAN
192/4
Tanzania beat Malawi by 72 runs
BHN
207/2
GER
161/8
Bahrain beat Germany by 46 runs
GER
–
TAN
–
BHN
–
ML
–
ZIM
–
SA
465/4
AUS A
243/10
SL-A
294/7
Sri Lanka A beat Australia A by 51 runs
PTS
102/2
WTS
112/6
Whiptail Smashers beat Piton Strikers by 10 runs
IYH
102/6
AMW
17/0
TBC
–
TBC
–
BMB
–
CBG
–
IDTT
220/5
DID
102/10
IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans won by 118 runs
GLAM
122/4
KENT
118/9
Glamorgan won by 6 wickets
DURH
182/7
BB
174/8
Durham won by 8 runs
DER
201/3
YOR
200/6
Derbyshire beat Yorkshire by 7 wickets
HAM
178/3
SOM
179/6
Somerset beat Hampshire by 4 wickets
NOR
152/9
WOR
153/4
Worcestershire beat Northamptonshire by 6 wickets
NOT
189/9
LEI
188/2
Nottinghamshire beat Leicestershire by 1 wickets
GLO
204/5
MID
195/7
Gloucestershire won by 9 runs
SURR
141/6
ESS
145/6
Essex beat Surrey by 4 wickets
HAM-W
154/2
SOM-W
153/8
Hampshire Women beat Somerset Women by 8 wickets
TBLZ-W
–
DUR-W
16/1
Match Abandoned
SUR-W
159/5
ESS-W
93/5
(D/L) method
LAN-W
124/3
BRB-W
123/7
Lancashire Women beat Birmingham Bears Women by 7 wickets
Here’s how the CSK squad might look after retentions and releases:
Category: Retained
Ruturaj Gaikwad, MS Dhoni, Matheesha Pathirana, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Noor Ahmad, Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Nathan Ellis, Vansh Bedi, Vijay Shankar, Ramakrishna Ghosh.
Category: Released
Ravichandran Ashwin, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Gurjapneet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary, Shreyas Gopal, Shaik Rasheed, C Andre Siddarth, Kamlesh Nagarkoti.
Captaincy Status
Who will be the CSK captain in IPL 2026 remains uncertain. Ruturaj Gaikwad started the previous edition as the skipper before he was ruled out with an injury. MS Dhoni then took over for the second half. Moreover, there have been rumours about a potential trade to bring in Sanju Samson. If that happens, Samson will be the frontrunner for captaincy.
With gaps to plug in their pace attack and middle-order, CSK are likely to target:
Sanju Samson (trade) – CSK have shown interest in acquiring Samson from Rajasthan Royals. He brings with him proven leadership, wicket-keeping and batting abilities. With Dhoni at the end of his career, Samson can take that mantle.
Cameron Green (auction) – CSK have always liked overseas pace bowling all-rounders. Last season, they had Sam Curran and Jamie Overton. Cameron Green would be a much better option as he can bat anywhere and add value with the bat.
Donovan Ferreira (auction) – If Delhi Capitals release Donovan Ferreira, he could fit well at CSK. A lower middle order power-hitter who can keep as well as bowl more than handy off-spin, Ferreira is a complete package.
Ravi Bishnoi (auction) – If Lucknow Super Giants release Ravi Bishnoi ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, CSK could target him. They had Shreyas Gopal in the squad last season but could be released. Bishnoi could be a good fit at the Chepauk.
Likely names include Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, and Matheesha Pathirana.
Possible releases: Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Ravi Ashwin, Sam Curran, Devon Conway, and Rachin Ravindra.
Focus on squad balance, younger talent, and plugging gaps in the batting and pace bowling department.
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