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CSK Retention List Before IPL 2026 Auction: Likely List Of Players Chennai Super Kings Will Retain

Sandip Pawar

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.

CSK Retention List For IPL 2026 Auction

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:

Which Players CSK Could Retain Ahead of IPL 2026 Auction?

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. 

READ MORE:

Final Likely players to be retained by CSK

  • MS Dhoni (if not retired)
  • Ruturaj Gaikwad
  • 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

CSK Released Players List Ahead Of IPL 2026

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:

Which Players Could Be Released By CSK?

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. 

Result – t20 – Singapore
Asia-Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy, 2025
Malaysia MAL

55/0

Hong Kong HKG

52/4

Malaysia won by 10 wickets

Upcoming – t20 – Basseterre
Australia tour of West Indies, T20, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 04:30 AM IST
West Indies WI

Australia AUS

Result – t20 – Rwanda
Bahrain and Malawi tour of Rwanda, 2025
Rwanda RWA

157/5

Malawi ML

158/1

Malawi beat Rwanda by 9 wickets

Upcoming – t20 – Rwanda
Bahrain and Malawi tour of Rwanda, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 04:30 PM IST
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Result – t20 – Hungary
ECN Budapest Cup T20I, 2025
Romania ROM

178/6

Luxembourg LUX

133/10

Romania won by 45 runs

Result – t20 – Hungary
ECN Budapest Cup T20I, 2025
Hungary HUN

168/9

Austria AUST

169/6

Austria beat Hungary by 4 wickets

Result – t20 – Hungary
ECN Budapest Cup T20I, 2025
Austria AUST

245/7

Luxembourg LUX

179/5

Austria beat Luxembourg by 66 runs

Upcoming – t20 – Hungary
ECN Budapest Cup T20I, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 11:30 AM IST
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Upcoming – t20 – Hungary
ECN Budapest Cup T20I, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 03:00 PM IST
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Result – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
Alby Zalmi CC ALZ

88/10

Jinnah CC JIHCC

163/4

Jinnah CC Stockholm beat Alby Zalmi by 75 runs

Result – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
Rising Phoenix RPH

123/6

Marsta CC MAR

150/4

Marsta CC beat Rising Phoenix by 27 runs

Result – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
Jinnah CC JIHCC

153/9

Alby Zalmi CC ALZ

168/4

Alby Zalmi CC beat Jinnah CC by 15 runs

Result – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
Rising Phoenix RPH

166/4

Jinnah CC JIHCC

78/10

Rising Phoenix beat Jinnah CC by 88 runs

Result – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
Alby Zalmi CC ALZ

100/5

Rising Phoenix RPH

99/7

Alby Zalmi CC beat Rising Phoenix by 5 wickets

Upcoming – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 12:15 PM IST
Rising Phoenix RPH

Jinnah CC JIHCC

Upcoming – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 02:15 PM IST
Huddinge HDN

Alby Zalmi CC ALZ

Upcoming – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 05:15 PM IST
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Upcoming – t10 – Stockholms län
European Cricket Series Sweden, Stockholm, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 08:15 PM IST
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Result – t20 – Gaborone
ICC Women’s Africa T20 WC Qualifier 2, 2025
Botswana Women BOT-W

143/6

Malawi Women MWW-W

78/10

Botswana Women beat Malawi Women by 65 runs

Result – t20 – Gaborone
ICC Women’s Africa T20 WC Qualifier 2, 2025
Eswatini Women EWW-W

40/10

Lesotho Women LSN-W

88/9

Lesotho Women beat Eswatini Women by 48 runs

Result – t20 – Gaborone
ICC Women’s Africa T20 WC Qualifier 2, 2025
Rwanda Women RWA-W

135/7

Sierra Leone Women SLO-W

84/10

Rwanda Women beat Sierra Leone Women by 51 runs

Result – t20 – Gaborone
ICC Women’s Africa T20 WC Qualifier 2, 2025
Cameroon Women CW-W

88/8

Mozambique Women MZW-W

87/8

Cameroon Women beat Mozambique Women by 2 wickets

Result – t20 – Kuwait City
KCC T20 Summer League, 2025
Gujrat Cricket Club GUJCC

218/6

Super Lanka SUL

83/7

Gujrat Cricket Club beat Super Lanka by 135 runs

Upcoming – t20 – Kuwait City
KCC T20 Summer League, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 10:30 PM IST
Chennai Kings CA CHK

Tally Rangers TCC

Result – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
Fatemi Resources Cricket Club FRC

122/4

KL Gladiators KLG

108/6

Fatemi Resources Cricket Club beat KL Gladiators by 14 runs

Result – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
JB Kings JBK

80/4

Sky Warriors Cricket Club SWCL

106/5

Sky Warriors Cricket Club beat JB Kings by 26 runs

Result – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
Utkal Cricket Club UTC

78/4

Maxx Cricket Club MXC

80/2

Maxx Cricket Club beat Utkal Cricket Club by 8 wickets

Result – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
MR KB Putrajaya MKP

75/4

MB Malik Sports UMZ MBMS

73/10

MR KB Putrajaya beat MB Malik Sports UMZ by 6 wickets

Upcoming – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 06:30 AM IST
Fatemi Resources Cricket Club FRC

Maxx Cricket Club MXC

Upcoming – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 08:40 AM IST
JB Kings JBK

MB Malik Sports UMZ MBMS

Upcoming – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 10:50 AM IST
Utkal Cricket Club UTC

KL Gladiators KLG

Upcoming – t10 – Johor Bahru
Malaysia T10 Bash, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 01:15 PM IST
MR KB Putrajaya MKP

Sky Warriors Cricket Club SWCL

Result – t20 – Entebbe
Pearl of Africa T20, 2025
United Arab Emirates UAE

141/5

Nigeria NIG

88/10

United Arab Emirates beat Nigeria by 53 runs

Result – t20 – Entebbe
Pearl of Africa T20, 2025
Kenya KNY

126/6

Namibia A NBA

123/2

Kenya beat Namibia A by 3 runs

Upcoming – t20 – Entebbe
Pearl of Africa T20, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 12:00 PM IST
Kenya KNY

Nigeria NIG

Upcoming – t20 – Entebbe
Pearl of Africa T20, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 04:00 PM IST
United Arab Emirates UAE

Uganda UGA

Upcoming – t20 – Puducherry
Pondicherry Premier League, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 07:00 PM IST
Villianur Mohit Kings VMK

Mahe Megalo Strikers MMS

Result – t20 – Kabul
Shpageeza Cricket League, 2025
Mis Ainak Knights MAK

154/9

Boost Defenders BDS

155/4

Boost Defenders beat Mis Ainak Knights by 6 wickets

Result – t20 – Kabul
Shpageeza Cricket League, 2025
Amo Sharks ASS

174/4

Speen Ghar Tigers SGT

173/6

Amo Sharks beat Speen Ghar Tigers by 6 wickets

Result – t20 – Trinidad and Tobago
USA Women U19 tour of West Indies, 2025
West Indies Women U19 WIU19-W

67/5

United States Of America Women U19 USAU19-W

66/9

West Indies Women U19 beat United States Of America Women U19 by 5 wickets

Upcoming – t20 – Trinidad and Tobago
USA Women U19 tour of West Indies, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 07:30 PM IST
West Indies Women U19 WIU19-W

United States Of America Women U19 USAU19-W

Upcoming – t20 – London
Women’s Vitality Blast T20, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 05:00 PM IST
The Blaze Women TBLZ-W

 Birmingham Bears Women BRB-W

Canceled – t20 – London
Women’s Vitality Blast T20, 2025
TBC TBC

TBC TBC

Match Cancelled

Upcoming – t20 – London
Women’s Vitality Blast T20, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 09:00 PM IST
Surrey Women SUR-W

TBC TBC

Result – t20 – Leeds
World Championship of Legends, 2025
India Champions IAC

203/4

Australia Champions AAC

207/6

Australia Champions beat India Champions by 4 wickets

Result – t20 – Leeds
World Championship of Legends, 2025
Pakistan Champions PNC

200/4

West Indies Champions WIC

151/7

Pakistan Champions beat West Indies Champions by 49 runs

Upcoming – t20 – Leeds
World Championship of Legends, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 05:00 PM IST
South Africa Champions SAC

Australia Champions AAC

Upcoming – t20 – Leeds
World Championship of Legends, 2025
27 Jul 2025, 09:00 PM IST
India Champions IAC

England Champions EDC

Result – t20 – Harare
Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series, 2025
New Zealand NZ

180/5

South Africa SA

177/6

New Zealand beat South Africa by 3 runs

Result – oneday – Northern Ireland
Zimbabwe Women tour of Ireland, 2025
Ireland Women IRE-W

288/9

Zimbabwe Women ZIM-W

191/10

Ireland Women won by 97 runs

Likely Full CSK Released Players List

  • 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

Likely CSK Squad Ahead Of IPL 2026 Auction

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. 

What To Expect From CSK At The IPL 2026 Auction?

With gaps to plug in their pace attack and middle-order, CSK are likely to target:

  • A power-hitter in the lower middle-order
  • A wicketkeeper-batter
  • A pace bowling all-rounder 
  • A domestic spin backup 

Potential Key Targets For CSK at IPL 2026 Auction

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.

FAQs

Which players could be retained by CSK?

Likely names include Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, and Matheesha Pathirana.

Which players could be released by CSK?

Possible releases: Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Ravi Ashwin, Sam Curran, Devon Conway, and Rachin Ravindra. 

What is CSK’s strategy ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction?

Focus on squad balance, younger talent, and plugging gaps in the batting and pace bowling department.

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