IPL 2026: What CSK need and who they must target ahead of the auctions | Cricket News – The Times of India
The 2026 IPL cycle feels like a reset point for five-time champions – Chennai Super Kings. For the first time in their history, they enter a season carrying both a legacy and a wooden spoon. The franchise that built its reputation on stability and emotional loyalty has taken some of the hardest decisions seen in their history. The retention window was dominated by two seismic moves. Sanju Samson arrived from Rajasthan Royals while Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran were traded away. For many fans it felt unthinkable. CSK have long been a team that treats players as family and Jadeja was widely viewed as one of their biggest figures after MS Dhoni. Yet the trade went through, signalling that the franchise is now prepared to rethink old philosophies and reshape itself for a new era.
The reality is clear. MS Dhoni is 44 and cannot be with the side indefinitely. CSK’s last title came in 2023 when Jadeja hit ten off the final two balls in a finish that became part of IPL folklore. In 2024, CSK narrowly missed the playoffs on net run rate and in 2025 they slumped to the bottom for the first time. A major rebuild was unavoidable.The Samson trade and the release of Matheesha Pathirana have opened up both opportunity and uncertainty. CSK now head into the 2026 IPL Auction with a purse of INR 43.40 crore, which is the second highest after KKR, and a squad that is talented but incomplete.Where CSK stand before the auctionSixteen players have been retained, including four overseas names. The core still features Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad, with Sanju Samson expected to operate as a senior Indian batter and wicketkeeper. Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube add firepower while Noor Ahmad and Nathan Ellis remain key overseas options. The departure of Jadeja and Curran has left a big structural gap. CSK no longer have the proven all-round depth that once made them one of the most balanced sides in the league. Their lower order resilience and bowling flexibility now depend on what they managed to buy at the auction.A possible CSK XI for IPL 2026Ayush MhatreSanju Samson (wk)Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)Dewald Brevis (overseas)Shivam DubeOverseas batter or all rounderMS DhoniSpinnerNathan Ellis (overseas)Noor Ahmad (overseas)Khaleel AhmedAnshul Kamboj or Mukesh Choudhary (Impact player)The gaps and the targets1. Lower order batting and overseas all-rounderWith Jadeja and Curran gone, CSK require a finisher who can support Dhoni. David Miller and Liam Livingstone stand out as the most practical choices. Both bring power and are proven players in pressure situations. Livingstone also gives part-time spin, which could be valuable. This is the most significant role CSK must fill.Andre Russell and Glenn Maxwell could have been other options as well, but since Russell had already announced his retirement from the IPL and Maxwell had opted out of this season, the options are limited.2. A frontline spinnerWith Ashwin retired and Jadeja traded, CSK’s spin department has lost experience and bite. Shreyas Gopal can contribute but he cannot carry the load alone. Rahul Chahar and Ravi Bishnoi are the premium Indian options in the auction and CSK will be keen to secure one of them. They could also revisit the Sri Lankan duo of Wanindu Hasaranga or Maheesh Theekshana although this appears less likely because Noor Ahmad already occupies the overseas spinner slot. Even so, CSK might consider one of them as backup.3. Overseas pacerNathan Ellis is dependable but CSK require one more international quick. Buying back Pathirana remains an option. Mustafizur Rahman and Naveen ul Haq suit the Chepauk surface due to their variations. Gerald Coetzee offers pace although he can be expensive at times and less suited to home conditions. Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry are other realistic choices.4. Backup Indian battersAyush Mhatre is promising but young players often hit second season dips. CSK need Indian batting insurance. Prithvi Shaw could be a smart pick as lately he has shown good form. Venkatesh Iyer is another interesting option if available at the right price since he can offer flexibility in the middle order and can open as well if required.Cameron Green is expected to draw huge interest and might even be the most expensive player of the auction. However his profile does not fit CSK’s immediate needs. He prefers the top order and CSK do not have space there. Playing him at four would reduce his impact and does not solve the gaps they must address.ConclusionCSK enter the 2026 IPL Auction with money, ambition and several holes to fill. The franchise that once ran on continuity is now being rebuilt piece by piece. They have added a marquee Indian batter in Sanju Samson but have sacrificed the all-round security that defined their best years. Their success on auction night will depend on securing a finisher, a frontline spinner and an impact pacer. If they manage these three areas they can move quickly from wooden spoon to contender. If not, the transition into a post Dhoni era will grow more complicated.
