Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a forgettable outing in the last IPL 2025 season, finishing at the bottom of the points table, managing just four wins out of their 14 league games. The franchise mid-season also shifted their focus on giving youngsters a chance with a goal for the future.
AUSA-W
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INDA-W
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VSS
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BVB
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AMR
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TBW
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ABF
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TKR
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SKA
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BR
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ODW
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NDS
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CDK
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WDL
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NDSW
117/4
CDQW
120/9
Central Delhi Queens Women beat North Delhi Strikers Women by 1 wickets
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SDSW
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ROM
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CZR
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ROM
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CZR
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HTBC
139/2
SCE
140/3
SC Europa beat HTB Cricket by 7 wickets
HTBC
107/2
VFB
102/10
HTB Cricket beat VFB Fallersleben by 8 wickets
SCE
48/3
SGFD
93/8
VFB
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BRCC
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BRCC
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SGFD
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VFB
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SCE
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HTBC
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BRCC
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SCE
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SGFD
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VFB
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HTBC
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BRCC
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LAN
259/3
DURH
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LEI
222/2
DER
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HAM
213/5
NOT
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ESS
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GLAM
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SUSS
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SOM
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NOR
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KENT
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KWT
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QAT
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KNY
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JER
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NED-W
157/7
ITA-W
114/8
Netherlands Women beat Italy Women by 43 runs
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GER-W
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IRE-W
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ITA-W
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GER-W
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BAN
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IND
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Match Called off
MUR
1/0
NWW
334/9
LLG
4/0
NK
223/10
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GUJCC
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RTZ
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KUMS
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BCC
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KZK
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ARKS
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CAGS
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ATR
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KBTS
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GBM
81/2
MYW
209/5
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BNB
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MGD
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MYW
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BNB
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SML
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MAT
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RNC
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MUT
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IAI
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WEF
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SOB
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LOS
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NOS
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OVI
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TRR
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WFW-W
111/6
SBW-W
77/3
LSW-W
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NOS-W
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OIW-W
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TRW-W
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CHK
152/8
ACOM
126/10
Chicago Kingsmen beat Australian Capital Territory by 26 runs
MS-A
166/4
PSA
167/3
Perth Scorchers Academy beat Melbourne Stars Academy by 7 wickets
NEP
139/9
MR-A
106/10
Nepal beat Melbourne Renegades Academy by 33 runs
PS
202/6
AS-A
91/8
MR-A
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HHA
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ACOM
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AS-A
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NTS
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CHK
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BANA
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MS-A
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NOSK
63/4
GOLS
186/7
LUF
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KASS
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NOSK
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KARS
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MEMA
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GOLS
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It is thus clearly understandable that Chennai is ready to make the necessary amends for them to make a strong comeback in IPL 2026. This would subsequently mean that a number of players, which is expected to include some big names as well, might be shown the door before the mini-auction, slated to be held later this year.
Let’s take a look at seven such cricketers who CSK can release.
The veteran spinner is the biggest name on this list, who CSK might be willing to let go. The management had high expectations from Ravichandran Ashwin after they spent a staggering INR 9.75 crores to acquire him at the last auction. Unfortunately, Ashwin showed signs of regression and had a lacklustre campaign, finishing with seven wickets from nine games at a career-high IPL economy of 9.12. He was also dropped fromthe playing XI midway through the season, indicating CSK’s lack of trust in him. They will ideally look to release him which would free up a considerable amount in the budget that can be used to pursue other targets.
After a breakthrough 600-plus season in IPL 2023, the Kiwi missed IPL 2024 due to injury. Given his past show, CSK decided to re-invest in him and brought him back from the auction for INR 6.25 crores last season. Expectations were high from the southpaw to deliver at the top of the batting order but he had a disappointing show, looking completely out of rhythm with only 156 runs in six matches, averaging under 30s.
Rahul Tripathi was bought by CSK to bolster their top order and maximise the powerplay, given his ability to make quick starts. However, his inconsistent returns forced the management to bench him mid-season. Tripathi scored just 55 runs from five matches at a paltry average of 11 and a subpar strike-rate of 96.49, his lowest-ever in an IPL season.
It now seems like the 34-year-old has lost his mojo, compared to the IPL 2022 season where he scored 413 runs from 14 matches. Apart from his underwhelming performance, also with CSK signing quality replacement batters in between the season in the likes of Urvil Patel, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Tripathi will find it difficult to get retained.
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CSK’s habit of banking on experienced stars backfired badly last season with several veterans failing to do the job. Amongst them is Deepak Hooda who struggled to get going with just 31 runs in five matches at an average of 6.20. CSK will look to rectify their mistakes from the last auction and will most definitely let him go.
Bringing the all-rounder back after 10 years having played one match for CSK in 2014, the 34-year-old was expected to bolster the side’s middle-order but he failed in his role. He didn’t get to play initially but with CSK struggling in the season, Shankar was given a chance. Although in six matches he scored 118 runs, averaging at 39.33 including a fifty, he failed to make a meaningful impact with his contributions not coming in a winning cause. Releasing Vijay Shankar thus seems to be the natural call, considering his age and decline in performance.
Despite his skillset, Rachin Ravindra has been more of a liability for the CSK team than an asset. The Kiwi has simply been underwhelming and his T20 game needs work. He played in eight matches and scored just 191 runs at an average of 27.28 at an unimpressive strike rate of 128.18, which is quite low for an opener. Hence, CSK might look to release him and free an overseas slot.
The England cricketer is another player who made a return to CSK. Secured for INR 2.40 crore in the mega auction, unfortunately his comeback season fell short of expectations. Across five matches, Curran managed just 114 runs and claimed only one wicket, struggling to make a significant impact. Given his lacklustre performance, CSK might consider releasing him before the IPL 2026 auction to explore other options.
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