• Home
  • Cricket Analysis
  • Csks Ipl Auction Hunt Overseas All Rounders Whom Ms Dhonis Team Could Acquire For 2026

CSK's IPL auction hunt: Overseas all-rounders whom MS Dhoni's team could acquire for 2026

Sakshi Sharma

Liam Livingstone and MS Dhoni (Source: AFP)Liam Livingstone and MS Dhoni (Source: AFP)

After a poor IPL 2025 campaign, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) finished tenth for the first time in their history. The franchise will enter the IPL 2026 with a new strategy. The bold trade of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to acquire Sanju Samson has reshaped the squad’s core. The five-time champions will want to get an all-rounder to support MS Dhoni, who continues at 44 but can no longer shoulder the lower-order burden alone.

With nine slots available, including four overseas spots, and ₹43.4 crore purse, CSK will be among the most active teams in the auction. Their priority will be clear: secure a powerful overseas all-rounder capable of offering finishing firepower and impact overs. 

Having said this, in this article, let's take a look at the registered overseas all-rounders CSK can likely target.

Liam Livingstone

Criteria
Data
Innings
24
Runs651
Average29.59
Strike-rate169.09

(Liam Livingstone's IPL stats at no.4)

Liam Livingstone will be an important player ahead of the upcoming season. Released after a disappointing 2025 season with RCB, where he scored 112 runs in eight innings at 133.33 and took two wickets. But after IPL 2025, the star player has rediscovered form, with impressive campaigns in The Hundred and the T20 Blast. 

In ILT20 2025-26, he has scored 102 runs in three innings at an average of 51.00 and a strike rate of 172.88. In T20 Blast 2025, Livingstone made 260 runs in seven innings at a strike-rate of 176.87 and an average of 52.00.

Why CSK will be interested

  • With MS Dhoni no longer batting above No. 7 and CSK lacking a hitting foreign finisher, Livingstone’s power game will become invaluable in IPL 2026. His ability to attack fast bowling will complement Shivam Dube, who thrives against spin. Together, they can form a devastating middle-order pair.
  • Livingstone might bring dual-threat ability: off-spin and leg-spin variations. He can also fit into CSK’s long-standing preference for multi-skill players.

Michael Bracewell

Criteria
Data
Innings
203
Runs3455
Average26.37
Strike-rate135.49

(Michael Bracewell's T20 records)

Michael Bracewell is the kind of cricketer CSK traditionally will want to invest in for the upcoming season. He is a flexible, intelligent, reliable and skilled across departments. The New Zealand all-rounder missed IPL 2024 and 2025 but has built a solid global reputation. 

Why CSK may target him

  • Bracewell offers exactly what CSK wants: a left-handed middle-order bat who can stabilise or accelerate, and an off-spinner. In 47 T20Is, he has scored 434 runs and taken 35 wickets, demonstrating consistency and adaptability. 
  • Unlike Livingstone or Hasaranga, Bracewell may not command an excessive fee, allowing CSK to strengthen multiple slots at once.

Wiaan Mulder 

South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder will be one of the most intriguing names on the auction list. He had limited opportunities with SRH in IPL 2025 but remains a promising T20 all-rounder with middle-order potential and reliable seam bowling. 

Why he makes sense for CSK

  • CSK lack a foreign pace all-rounder who can bowl smartly on Chennai’s two-paced pitch and bat responsibly in the middle or lower order. He offers control with the ball and batting temperament, often missing in overseas seam all-rounders.
  • Mulder won’t trigger massive bidding, making him a potential steal who strengthens squad depth. At 27, he is entering his prime and could become a multi-season player for CSK.

Wanindu Hasaranga 

Wanindu Hasaranga will be the most high-profile all-rounder on the list for CSK. The 'Yellow Army' can target him to fill multiple gaps: a wicket-taking middle-overs spinner, and lower-order hitter. 

Why Wanindu Hasaranga might be a target for CSK

  • Hasaranga offers leg-spin, while Jadeja was CSK’s premier left-arm spinner. Though they differ in style, Hasaranga brings wicket-taking potency, something CSK missed badly in 2025. He can operate at No. 7 or 8, providing crucial hitting strength in overs 15–20. 
  • Hasaranga has already dominated IPL seasons in the past. The Sri Lankan star player has played 37 matches in the IPL, scoring 81 runs and taking 46 wickets.