Ravichandran Ashwin To Be Replaced By...: CSK's Best Targets For IPL 2026 Mini Auction

Ravichandran Ashwin for CSK [Source: AFP Media]

Chennai Super Kings had a catastrophic IPL 2025 campaign. The season yielded only four wins in 14 outings and resulted in their worst ever finish in the history of the tournament.

The franchise has been known for strategic acquisitions and comebacks after hitting rock bottom. The blueprint of resurrection lies in the way they address the issues that came to the fore during the last edition of the tournament.

In this article, we take a look at the best possible targets for the five-time IPL champions in the upcoming mini-auction.

1. Akeal Hosein

During the IPL 2025 season, one of the main things that CSK missed was the presence of a wicket-taking spin bowler in the middle phase of the games. While Ravindra Jadeja emerged as economical, Ravichandran Ashwin looked flat.

Akeal Hosein would add the depth that CSK are most comfortable playing with. His presence would provide them a bowler who has the expertise of bowling in the powerplay and that would allow them the use of Noor Ahmad in the middle phase. This will give the spin department a much more well-rounded outlook that could increase their chances of winning their sixth title.

2. Tushar Raheja

The left-handed opening batter could be a local talent CSK can trust. Tushar Raheja had a brilliant TNPL 2025. He scored 488 runs in nine matches at an average of 61.00 while having a strike rate of 185.55.

Tushar Raheja [Source: @Khel_Samachar35/x.com]

The inclusion of Raheja will give the option to be aggressive at the top with both Mhatre and the southpaw. Besides, he will also bring in the right-hand-left-hand variation. With Raheja and Mhatre opening, followed by Ruturaj Gaikwad and then Dewald Brevis down the order, the line-up would have the balance that they lacked considerably in the 2025 season.

3. Vidwath Kaverappa

The pacer from Karnataka is adding a lot to his credentials as a lethal bowler with the new ball. In the longer formats, Vidwath Kaverappa has shown that he can be a strike force for his team at the beginning of an innings.

Though CSK had Khaleel Ahmed picking up wickets for them in IPL 2025 with the new ball, there was no one to back him up and keep the pressure going. The fact that Kaverappa has an economy of just over 6 in his T20 career adds to his credentials for their recruitment.

4. Sikandar Raza

The Zimbabwe star all-rounder could be a great addition to the CSK roster for IPL 2026. Sikandar Raza could be an effective bowler in the middle phases and also add to the depth of the batting.

Sikandar Raza [Source: AFP Media]

Raza is a good player of spin and can rotate the strike while also being aggressive against them. This makes him a sought-after entity for CSK as he could bolster the line-up along with Dewald Brevis.

5. Rushil Ugarkar

The MI New York bowler was one of the prime reasons that the team won the 2025 edition of the tournament. He showed brilliant nerves and skills under pressure in the last over of the final match.

Given the credentials he has shown, Rushil Ugarkar could be a good addition. With Matheesha Pathirana, he can build a strong death bowling unit for CSK. However, the limited overseas slot might force the franchise to select either of the two bowlers; it would give them an able backup plan to fall back on. 

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