IPL 2026 retention: List of players CSK might retain for next season

CSK probable retentions [Source: AFP Photo]

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini auction is scheduled to take place in mid-December, but before that, all ten sides must submit their final list of players to be retained ahead of the next season. The final retention list needs to be submitted by mid-November, and by releasing the unwanted players, the franchise gets an opportunity to strengthen their side.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the former IPL champions, had a dismal IPL season in 2025 as they failed to qualify for the playoffs, and the team will look to release the unwanted players from the squad and retain the quality stars. In this piece, we look at all the star players CSK might retain before the next IPL season.

CSK's IPL 2026 probable retention list

Top 3 sorted for next season

In the 2025 IPL season, CSK had a dismal first half with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra as their two openers. As a result, the team languished at the bottom of the table. However, the tables turned a bit in the second half of the season.

The franchise roped in Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel as injury replacement players and there was a turnaround in CSK’s top order performance.

(CSK opening duo in IPL 2025)

• CSK lacked the cutting-edge before the duo arrived at the top, and the fortunes changed a bit as Mhatre and Patel brought an aggressive approach, and the numbers tell the entire story. They played aggressively, and that gave a sigh of relief to the middle order.
• Also, Ruturaj Gaikwad, the CSK captain, missed the second half of the season due to an injury. But with him back for the next season, CSK’s top three looks compact and each of them is a match-winner.

Brevis the main man in middle order

Before Brevis arrived, CSK had Vijay Shankar and Rahul Tripathi as the two main players for the middle order, and that clearly didn’t work out. However, an injury to Gurjapneet Singh turned out to be a blessing in disguise for them. The franchise roped in Brevis and the rest, as they say, is history.

(Brevis in IPL 2025)

• 225 runs in six matches with a strike rate of 180 defined Brevis’ IPL 2025 campaign. His presence brought an aggressive approach in the middle order and the batter was CSK’s best player in the limited matches that he played.
• Apart from Brevis, the likes of Shivam Dube, and Ravindra Jadeja will fill in the middle-order spot as the team aims for yet another title.

One more season for MS Dhoni?

The 2025 season was a disappointing campaign for CSK’s MS Dhoni, and yet, he was their best player by a country mile. He had a strike rate of just 135, but that was better than most of the other middle order players.

CSK doesn’t have a quality finisher in the ranks, and perhaps, MS Dhoni has to once again fill in the shoes to fulfill that role. He lacked the cutting-edge in the 2025 season, but his mere presence will be a big boost for the youngsters in the side.

Bowling needs bit of depth

The franchise only had two quality bowlers in the 2025 campaign as Khaleel Ahmed and Noor Ahmad forged a partnership to pick 39 wickets between them. While the likes of Jadeja and Pathirana disappointed, the duo of Khaleel and Noor carried the bowling attack.

(Noor and Khaleel in IPL 2025)

• The duo performed exceedingly well for CSK, and while Khaleel picked up wickets in the powerplay, Noor did the damage in the middle-overs. However, the team needs more reinforcements in the bowling department.
• Pathirana looked out of touch, but due to his past exploits, he might be retained, alongside Anshul Kamboj, who was backed by the CSK management.

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