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.
MAL
55/0
HKG
52/4
WI
–
AUS
–
RWA
157/5
ML
158/1
Malawi beat Rwanda by 9 wickets
TBC
–
TBC
–
ROM
178/6
LUX
133/10
Romania won by 45 runs
HUN
168/9
AUST
169/6
Austria beat Hungary by 4 wickets
AUST
245/7
LUX
179/5
Austria beat Luxembourg by 66 runs
TBC
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
ALZ
88/10
JIHCC
163/4
Jinnah CC Stockholm beat Alby Zalmi by 75 runs
RPH
123/6
MAR
150/4
Marsta CC beat Rising Phoenix by 27 runs
JIHCC
153/9
ALZ
168/4
Alby Zalmi CC beat Jinnah CC by 15 runs
RPH
166/4
JIHCC
78/10
Rising Phoenix beat Jinnah CC by 88 runs
ALZ
100/5
RPH
99/7
Alby Zalmi CC beat Rising Phoenix by 5 wickets
RPH
–
JIHCC
–
HDN
–
ALZ
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
BOT-W
143/6
MWW-W
78/10
Botswana Women beat Malawi Women by 65 runs
EWW-W
40/10
LSN-W
88/9
Lesotho Women beat Eswatini Women by 48 runs
RWA-W
135/7
SLO-W
84/10
Rwanda Women beat Sierra Leone Women by 51 runs
CW-W
88/8
MZW-W
87/8
Cameroon Women beat Mozambique Women by 2 wickets
GUJCC
218/6
SUL
83/7
Gujrat Cricket Club beat Super Lanka by 135 runs
CHK
–
TCC
–
FRC
122/4
KLG
108/6
Fatemi Resources Cricket Club beat KL Gladiators by 14 runs
JBK
80/4
SWCL
106/5
Sky Warriors Cricket Club beat JB Kings by 26 runs
UTC
78/4
MXC
80/2
Maxx Cricket Club beat Utkal Cricket Club by 8 wickets
MKP
75/4
MBMS
73/10
MR KB Putrajaya beat MB Malik Sports UMZ by 6 wickets
FRC
–
MXC
–
JBK
–
MBMS
–
UTC
–
KLG
–
MKP
–
SWCL
–
UAE
141/5
NIG
88/10
United Arab Emirates beat Nigeria by 53 runs
KNY
126/6
NBA
123/2
Kenya beat Namibia A by 3 runs
KNY
–
NIG
–
UAE
–
UGA
–
VMK
–
MMS
–
MAK
154/9
BDS
155/4
Boost Defenders beat Mis Ainak Knights by 6 wickets
ASS
174/4
SGT
173/6
Amo Sharks beat Speen Ghar Tigers by 6 wickets
WIU19-W
67/5
USAU19-W
66/9
West Indies Women U19 beat United States Of America Women U19 by 5 wickets
WIU19-W
–
USAU19-W
–
TBLZ-W
–
BRB-W
–
TBC
–
TBC
–
Match Cancelled
SUR-W
–
TBC
–
IAC
203/4
AAC
207/6
Australia Champions beat India Champions by 4 wickets
PNC
200/4
WIC
151/7
Pakistan Champions beat West Indies Champions by 49 runs
SAC
–
AAC
–
IAC
–
EDC
–
NZ
180/5
SA
177/6
New Zealand beat South Africa by 3 runs
IRE-W
288/9
ZIM-W
191/10
Ireland Women won by 97 runs
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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Malaysia won by 10 wickets