Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have forged a completely revamped side for IPL 2026 with MS Dhoni’s experience, leadership acumen of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson’s temperament, and a host of valuable uncapped Indian players along with skilled foreign bowlers and all-rounders. Following an extensive list of departures that include a trade of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran of CSK, along with a list of foreign players, CSK remodelled their team for 2026 with their mini-auction transactions. This article will explain all latest updateds related to Chennai Super Kings IPL 2026 Squad & Auction.
Chennai Super Kings IPL 2026 Squad Full List (After Auction)
Over the retention window and the Abu Dhabi mini‑auction, CSK confirmed a 25‑member squad comprising 16 retained and 9 auction/added players with a strong Indian base and 7 to 8 overseas options. Following is the consolidated list based on official IPL, major news, and auction reports.
Batters & Wicketkeeper‑Batters
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain, top‑order batter)
- Sanju Samson (wk–batter, traded in from Rajasthan Royals)
- Ayush Mhatre (top‑order batter, retained)
- Dewald Brevis (overseas batter, retained)
- Urvil Patel (wk–batter, retained)
- Shivam Dube (middle‑order batter & medium‑pace all‑rounder, retained)
- Ramakrishna Ghosh (domestic batter, retained)
- Sarfaraz Khan (middle‑order batter, bought for ₹75 lakh)
- Matthew Short (overseas batting all‑rounder, bought for ₹1.5 crore)
- Aman Khan (batting all‑rounder, bought for ₹40 lakh)
All‑rounders & Spin Options
- MS Dhoni (wk–batter, retained as senior leader and finisher)
- Akeal Hosein (West Indies left‑arm spin all‑rounder, ₹2 crore)
- Prashant Veer (uncapped Indian all‑rounder, ₹14.2 crore)
- Kartik Sharma (uncapped Indian spin all‑rounder, ₹14.2 crore)
- Rahul Chahar (Indian leg‑spinner, ₹5.2 crore)
- Noor Ahmad (Afghan left‑arm wrist‑spinner, retained)
- Shreyas Gopal (leg‑spinner, retained)
Pace Bowlers
- Nathan Ellis (overseas seam bowler, retained)
- Matt Henry (New Zealand fast bowler, ₹2 crore)
- Zak Foulkes / Zakary Foulkes (overseas seamer, ₹75 lakh)
- Khaleel Ahmed (left‑arm Indian seamer, retained)
- Mukesh Choudhary (left‑arm quick, retained)
- Jamie Overton (overseas pace‑bowling all‑rounder, retained)
- Gurjapneet Singh (domestic quick, retained)
- Anshul Kamboj (Indian seamer, retained)
Retained vs Released vs Auction buy : How CSK Rebuilt
| Player Name | Role | Acquisition Type | Price (₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Batter (C) | Retained | 18.0 |
| Sanju Samson | WK–Batter | Traded in (RR → CSK) | 18.0 |
| MS Dhoni | WK–Batter | Retained | 4.0 |
| Shivam Dube | All‑rounder | Retained | 12.0 |
| Noor Ahmad | Spin bowler | Retained | 10.0 |
| Khaleel Ahmed | Fast bowler | Retained | 4.8 |
| Anshul Kamboj | All‑rounder | Retained | 3.4 |
| Gurjapneet Singh | Fast bowler | Retained | 2.2 |
| Nathan Ellis | Fast bowler (O/S) | Retained | 2.0 |
| Jamie Overton | Pace all‑rounder | Retained | 1.5 |
| Ramakrishna Ghosh | Bat/All‑rounder | Retained | 0.3 |
| Mukesh Choudhary | Fast bowler | Retained | 0.3 |
| Shreyas Gopal | Spin bowler | Retained | 0.3 |
| Dewald Brevis | Batter (O/S) | Retained | 2.2 |
| Ayush Mhatre | Batter | Retained | 0.3 |
| Urvil Patel | WK–Batter | Retained | 0.3 |
| Kartik Sharma | All‑rounder | Auction buy (uncapped) | 14.2 |
| Prashant Veer | All‑rounder | Auction buy (uncapped) | 14.2 |
| Rahul Chahar | Spin bowler | Auction buy | 5.2 |
| Matt Henry | Fast bowler (O/S) | Auction buy | 2.0 |
| Akeal Hosein | Spin all‑rounder | Auction buy (O/S) | 2.0 |
| Matthew Short | Batting all‑rounder | Auction buy (O/S) | 1.5 |
| Zak Foulkes | Fast bowler (O/S) | Auction buy | 0.75 |
| Sarfaraz Khan | Batter | Auction buy | 0.75 |
| Aman Khan | Batting all‑rounder | Auction buy | 0.40 |
Major Released / Traded Out Names
To create purse space and shift strategy, CSK parted ways with several stars:
- Ravindra Jadeja – traded to Rajasthan Royals.
- Sam Curran – traded to Rajasthan Royals.
- Devon Conway – released (overseas opener).
- Rachin Ravindra – released (multi‑role Kiwi all‑rounder).
- Matheesha Pathirana – released (Sri Lankan death‑overs specialist).
- Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Shaik Rasheed, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Vansh Bedi, Andre Siddarth are released for balance and other reasons.
Big Auction Buys & Core Strategy
The CSK IPL 2026 auction is characterized by two massive signings of uncapped Indians and a host of affordable overseas bowlers and all-rounders.
Top Money Signings
- Prashant Veer – Uncapped Indian all-rounder sold for a huge price of 14.20 crores
The bank manager of this series is Prashant Veer, an uncapped Indian all-rounder sold for a huge price of 14.20 crores. There is - Kartik Sharma – Another uncapped Indian spin all-rounder picked up at the price of ₹14.20 crores, again establishing CSK’s need to rebuild the Jadeja role through young domestic resources.
Smart Value Signings
- Akeal Hosein (₹2 crore) – Left arm spinner and lower order batter, good in powerplay and mid overs.
- Matt Henry (2 crores) – New Zealand seamer, who can be very valuable in his ability to provide new-ball aggression and hard-length middle-order bowling
- Rahul Chahar (₹5.2 crore) – Indian wrist-spinner who has experience in the IPL, providing CSK an indigenous pace attack option.
- Sarfaraz Khan (For Rs. 75 lakhs) – Tall middle-order batter who can spin-bash at Chepauk.
- Matthew Short (Price: ₹1.5 Crore) – A batting all-rounder, who can either open or play inside and also bowl some off spin.
- Aman Khan (₹40 lakh) – Indian batsman and all-round, adds depth to lower-middle order and bowling.
- Zak Foulkes (₹75 lakh) – Overseas seamer, can be used as a fetcher of seeds in fast-friendly wickets
These signings cumulatively suggest a policy of:
- A few all-rounders instead of 1–2 multi-skilled superstars
- More experienced bowling options for the slow wickets of Chennai.
- Use of interchangeable lineup based on the Ruturaj-Samson-D
Likely Best Playing XI of IPL 2026
CSK’s XI may keep changing from stadium to stadium; however, a well-rounded opening lineup could be:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) – Right‑hand opener, anchor and primary run‑getter.
- Ayush Mhatre – Aggressive domestic opener or top‑order partner.
- Sanju Samson (wk) – Dynamic top‑order batter and wicketkeeper, offers acceleration.
- Dewald Brevis (overseas) – Explosive middle‑order hitter, ideal against spin and pace.
- Shivam Dube – Left‑hand power‑hitter and sixth‑bowling option.
- Prashant Veer – High‑value Indian all‑rounder, floats as per match situation.
- MS Dhoni – Finisher, tactical brain, on‑field mentor.
- Akeal Hosein (overseas) – Spin all‑rounder, crucial for powerplay/middle overs.
- Rahul Chahar – Wrist‑spin wicket‑taker through middle overs.
- Khaleel Ahmed / Mukesh Choudhary – Left‑arm seam from one end, exploiting swing.
- Matt Henry / Nathan Ellis / Jamie Overton (overseas seamer) – Pace spearhead depending on conditions
CSK Squad Snapshot Table – IPL 2026
Conclusion
The squad of the Chennai Super Kings franchise in the IPL competition of 2026 is a perfect blend of experience and young talent going forward. The Indians, as well as the selection of the international all-rounders, are perfect picks by the franchise.
Also, Read: Is RCB Banned from IPL 2026? | 1 To 100 Jersey Number In Cricket India
