CSK's potential IPL 2026 picks: Players with 2Cr base price whom franchise can target

Chennai Super Kings might target Patirana and Miller [Source: AFP]

As the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) prepare for the IPL 2026 season, the franchise finds itself in a rare position. After finishing at the bottom of the table in 2025, the five-time champions have gone through a massive reshuffle. 

Notably, CSK released several senior players, including Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, and retained only 11 members of their previous squad. At the same time, they pulled off one of the biggest trades of the retention window by bringing in Sanju Samson for ₹18 crore.

CSK will now enter the IPL 2026 mini-auction with a strong purse of ₹43.40 crore, the second-highest among all teams. This gives them both the money and the motivation to rebuild the side smartly.

Since the IPL has announced that 45 players will carry a base price of ₹2 crore for the upcoming auction, CSK will surely scan this segment closely. These 45 cricketers are part of a much larger pool of 1,355 players who have formally registered for the event.

Among these high-value names, there are several options who can fill the gaps in CSK’s current squad. Considering their needs, there are four players in the ₹2 crore bracket who stand out as strong potential targets for CSK.

David Miller

David Miller is one overseas batter who immediately fits the bill. The South Africa left-hander, released by Lucknow Super Giants, has placed himself in the ₹2 crore category. Miller, who is known for his ability to finish matches, brings both experience and explosive power to the middle order. 

(David Miller's IPL numbers in death overs)

This is especially important for CSK, as their finishing over, particularly between the 16th and 20th, have been a weak area in recent seasons. Miller’s numbers in death overs speak for themselves: he has scored 1,378 runs at a stunning strike rate of 171, making him one of the most dangerous finishers in IPL history. 

Across his overall IPL career, he has accumulated 3,077 runs in 141 matches at an average of 35.37, while maintaining a strike rate of 138.60. 

Beyond his hitting ability, Miller can also steady the innings if early wickets fall, something CSK will find highly valuable as they rebuild their batting unit. With his wealth of experience and proven success in pressure situations, he naturally becomes one of the top names CSK may pursue.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman

Moving from batting to spin bowling, another name that fits CSK’s requirements is Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Even though the team already has Noor Ahmad as their frontline young spinner, they need a reliable backup option who can be both economical and wicket-taking. 

Mujeeb, who has also set his base price at ₹2 crore, could be an economical pick because he may not attract heavy bidding from multiple teams. In the IPL, Mujeeb has represented three franchises and taken 20 wickets in 20 innings while maintaining a respectable economy rate of 8.34. 

What makes him an especially good fit for CSK is the nature of the pitch at Chepauk, which offers grip and turn to spinners. His variations, especially the carrom ball, can be very effective in these conditions. 

Lungi Ngidi

In the fast-bowling category, Lungi Ngidi is another strong option CSK could seriously consider. The South Africa pacer was released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru and has also entered the ₹2 crore bracket. With CSK releasing Matheesha Pathirana and trading away Sam Curran, the team clearly needs fresh pace options. 

Notably, Ngidi had a decent outing in the 2025 season despite getting limited opportunities, taking four wickets in just two matches. Known for his ability to strike frequently, once every 14.5 balls in T20 cricket, Ngidi brings genuine wicket-taking threat.

[Lungi Ngidi's IPL numbers]

Ngidi has a total of 29 wickets in only 16 IPL matches, which shows how effective he can be when he gets consistent game time. His hit-the-deck style and natural variations could work very well on the slower surface in Chennai, especially during the slog overs when teams look to accelerate.

Matheesha Pathirana

Finally, there is Matheesha Pathirana, the Sri Lankan sensation who surprisingly found himself released by CSK ahead of the auction. Despite this unexpected move, it is likely that CSK still have their eyes on bringing him back. 

Pathirana picked up 13 wickets in the previous season, though his economy rate of 10.14 hurt both his impact and CSK’s campaign. Still, his sling-arm action, reminiscent of Lasith Malinga, makes him a rare and valuable asset in this league. 

In total, he has claimed 47 IPL wickets and has shown that he thrives in pressure, especially in death overs. Given CSK’s large budget, they may go all-in to regain him if a bidding war begins, particularly because he already understands the franchise environment and has previously performed well for them. 

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