Before the IPL 2026 auction, Chennai Super Kings have traded Sanju Samson to Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. While many players including Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra have been released. CSK has retained 15 players and released 12, due to which it will have the second biggest purse in the IPL mini auction and it should buy two foreign all-rounders, one fast bowler and two Indian leg spinners. In such a situation, which 5 players can it be eyeing? Let’s take a look at this.
Four foreign player slots remaining
It’s worth noting that the CSK franchise will have nine slots in the upcoming IPL auction, four of which are for foreign players. Furthermore, it has ₹43.4 crore remaining in its purse. The franchise needs to address several deficiencies, which could cost them heavily. The team needs a good finisher, something they currently lack. This option could be Andre Russell, who was released by KKR. His batting prowess and ability to hit sixes are well known. His inclusion could address the team’s shortcomings in the middle order.
CSK desperately needs to fill another gap, and that’s the void left by Jadeja’s departure. He has long been a crucial all-rounder for the team, taking wickets whenever the team needs him and also scoring runs with the bat. While there’s no all-rounder of Jadeja’s caliber available at the auction, CSK could opt for Glenn Maxwell, who was released by PBKS after a poor performance in IPL 2025. While he can’t be considered a replacement for Jadeja, the Australian could certainly prove useful to CSK with both bat and ball.
Pathirana was released by CSK, but reports suggest the team would be willing to buy him back in the IPL 2026 mini auction. He has been an integral part of the team , and his association with the team management and MS Dhoni could help secure him a return, albeit at a lower price. CSK could also consider overseas fast bowler Gerald Coetzee.
Rahul Chahar and Ravi Bishnoi are two options CSK could consider to replace R Ashwin, who retired from the IPL earlier this year. Although both are leg spinners, CSK desperately needs a spin partner for Noor Ahmed, especially since both Ashwin and Jadeja are out. Currently, their only option is Shreyas Gopal, who did not play a single match in IPL 2025.
