CSK IPL auction plan: Prime targets and likely top buys predicted for 2026 season

CSK finished last in IPL 2025 points table [Source: AFP]

On Tuesday, the Indian Premier League released the full list of players who will be up for the grabs in the upcoming mini auction. As revealed by the IPL, 350 players, including 16 capped Indians, 96 capped overseas, 224 uncapped Indians and 14 uncapped overseas cricketers, will go under the hammer in the IPL mini auction, scheduled on December 16. 

Regarding Chennai Super Kings, the five-time champions had a forgettable season in 2025, failing to qualify for the playoffs. 

After finishing tenth in the IPL 2025 points table, CSK released several high-profile names, while also trading Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to get Sanju Samson in their squad. 

As the Super Kings aim to revamp their team for the IPL 2026, here we analyse their requirements and predict their potential targets in the mini auction. 

CSK retention list for IPL 2026

Role distribution of CSK's retained players

• Top order batters- Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson (WK), Urvil Patel (WK)
• Middle order batters- Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube
• Lower middle order batter - MS Dhoni (WK)
• Bowling allrounder- Jamie Overton
• Pacers- Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Nathan Ellis, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh, Ramkrishna Ghosh
• Spinners- Noor Ahmad, Shreyas Gopal

CSK IPL 2026 auction budget and overseas slots

Chennai Super Kings have a budget of INR 43.4 crores heading to the IPL mini auction. They have nine slots, including four overseas, to fill in the marquee event. 

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CSK IPL 2026 squad: What are the gaps to fill?

How CSK's expected playing XI looks like

Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ayush Mhatre
Sanju Samson
Dewald Brevis
Shivam Dube
TBD
TBD
MS Dhoni
Khaleel Ahmed
Noor Ahmad
Anshul Kamboj

TBD- vacant slots to be filled in IPL 2026 mini auction

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ayush Mhatre are slated to open the batting for CSK, while Sanju Samson, having smashed 3096 runs at a strike rate of 143.33 at number three, is set to follow him. 

Dewald Brevis, who scored 225 runs at a strike rate of 180, will bat in the middle order alongside Shivam Dube, with the legendary MS Dhoni spearheading CSK's lower middle order with allrounder Jamie Overton. 

Talking about CSK's bowling attack, Khaleel, Noor and Anshul seem sure starters, with Nathan Ellis also making a strong case for his inclusion as a death-overs specialist in the playing XI. 

Areas to address for CSK in IPL mini auction

A left-handed top-order batter as backup (optional)

• Chennai Super Kings have five right-handed batters to spearhead their top and upper middle order. While Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ayush Mhatre are the frontrunners to open, Sanju Samson's excellent IPL record at number three makes him an automatic choice to bat at that position. 
• Dewald Brevis is set to bat at four, with Urvil Patel being CSK's backup keeping option. However, considering they have all right-handed batters at the top, the Super Kings might opt to add a bit of variety by signing a left-handed top-order player (preferably an Indian) in the mini auction. 

A powerhitter lower down the order

(CSK's death overs batting stats in IPL 2025)

• While CSK have two excellent middle-overs enforcers in Dewald Brevis and Shivam Dube, they need a powerhitter to spearhead their finishing department alongside MS Dhoni. The five-time champions definitely have Jamie Overton, who can chip in with breezy cameos at times, but considering the budget they have, we expect CSK to sign a proper powerhitter and solve their finishing woes in the slog overs. 

Middle order batters and spin allrounder

• Chennai Super Kings released several batters who failed to live up to the expectations in the IPL 2025. As a result, they currently have two genuine middle-order batters- Brevis and Dube. 
• The likes of Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar and Ravindra Jadeja were released; so, CSK would definitely look to add some middle-order batters to their existing IPL 2026 squad. 

A pacer to spearhead death overs bowling

(CSK retained pacers in death overs in IPL 2025)

• As evidenced by the above stats, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Choudhary were expensive with the ball in the death overs in IPL 2025. 
• While Khaleel, Anshul Kamboj and Mukesh form a potent new-ball attack, Ellis can be handy with his variations on sluggish tracks. However, with Pathirana released, CSK must purchase a death-overs specialist to avoid the leaking of plenty of runs in the final four overs. 

CSK IPL 2026 auction prime targets: Whom the Super Kings are likely to go after?

David Miller

• An experienced middle order batter, who can also provide CSK with a proven pace-hitting option. Calm-headed cricketer and perfectly fits the bill for the Super Kings. 
• Miller as a finisher in IPL in death overs: 1058 runs, average- 30.2, Strike Rate- 173.4

Wanindu Hasaranga

• Proven performer in the IPL. CSK have released Jadeja, a slot that they can fill by roping in Hasaranga. 
• This move will not only empower CSK with a leg spinner but also give them a quality all-round option in the lower middle order. 

Anrich Nortje

• If he's fully fit, Anrich Nortje can boost CSK's pace department with raw pace and his ability to hit the deck hard. 
• The Super Kings don't have a single hit-the-deck bowler; so, Nortje can be a valuable addition to their team. 

Abhinav Manohar

• As CSK have a couple of slots vacant in the lower middle order, they can consider buying Abhinav Manohar as a budget pick. 
• The Karnataka batter has an astonishing strike rate of 192.3 with a dot percentage of just 24.8 in the 17-20 overs phase in T20 cricket. 

Akash Madhwal

• Having already played for Mumbai Indians, Akash Madhwal is a great operator of the ball in the slog overs. If CSK want to buy an Indian pacer to boost their death bowling, Madhwal can be an option worth considering. 

Prashant Veer

• An uncapped allrounder with immense potential, Prashant Veer has lit up the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with his brilliance. 
• Besides scoring 112 runs at a magnificent strike rate of 169.70, Prashant has bagged nine wickets with his spin bowling and can be Ravindra Jadeja's like-for-like replacement. 

Other potential targets for CSK

Liam Livingstone, Rachin Ravindra (Might try to get him at a lower price), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Matheesha Pathirana (Might try to get him at a lower price), Ashok Sharma, Michael Bracewell, Mustafizur Rahman

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