The preparations for IPL 2026 are underway, and there are reports that the mini-auction will take place from December 13-15. Further, the teams have been asked to submit the retention list by November 15, a month before the auction.
The cricbuzz report also stated that the teams have already flown into action and CSK, who finished last for the first time in IPL career, are looking to load off Devon Conway, Sam Curran, Rahul Tripathi, and Deepak Hooda ahead of the coming season.
Meanwhile, this article will shed light on whether CSK should continue to invest in the England star or should they release the star all-rounder.
Sam Curran's IPL stats
Criteria
Data
Innings
64
Runs
997
Average
24.93
Strike-Rate
136.39
Wickets
59
Economy
9.74
Sam Curran has had a roller-coaster of a journey in IPL as the southpaw rose to fame after T20 World Cup 2022 where his England heroics helped him become the then-most expensive player in IPL history. Curran did well for Punjab Kings, then a bad season, saw him getting released.
However, CSK picked him up for IPL 2025 and the southpaw did his part in IPL 2025. Let's look at how did Curran perform in IPL 2025 and compare his stats to 2024 edition.
Criteria
IPL 2025
IPL 2024
Innings
5
12
Runs
114
270
Average
22.80
27.00
Strike-Rate
135.71
123.29
Wickets
1
16
Economy
11.08
10.15
If we look at Curran's 2024 season with Punjab Kings, then had performed decently, but still got out of the team, maybe to readjust the purse value. However, averaging 27 with the bat and picking up 16 wickets is crucial for any all-rounder.
Looking at Curran's 2025 season with Chennai Super Kings, then he was bought for just 2.40 crores and he has justified his price value by scoring crucial 114 runs in just five opportunities presented to him and also batted at a higher strike-rate than 2024 season.
Although, one major issue for Curran remains his high economy which is higher than 10 in both seasons. Now, lets look the reasons why CSK might retain him and reasons why CSK might release him.
Why would CSK look to retain Sam Curran?
-Justified his price tag
It is true that Sam Curran didn't had the best of the seasons last year, but he also didn't get enough chances to prove his worth or capitalise on his IPL 2024 heroics. However, he saw a significant dip in his IPL salary and justified his 2.40 crore price tag with the all-round performance.
-Better strike-rate than IPL 2024
Another key area that CSK might look at is that Sam Curran only got a few balls per match to play as he came to play down the order. However, Curran didn't compromise with the demand of the game and batted at a strike-rate of 135, higher than IPL 2025.
-Fits Dhoni's Plans
MS Dhoni loves kind of players who can fit in all roles. Notably, Curran can bat up the order, be a floater, and also come lower down the order as seen in IPL 2025. Even with the ball, Curran knows how to pick up wickets in the powerplay, bowl in the middle-overs and also bowl crucial yorkers and wide-off length in the death.
Why might CSK look to release Sam Curran?
-Failed to perform with ball in IPL 2025
Curran is known for his all-round performance, but he had a terrible outing with the ball in IPL 2025 be it just five games. Notably, the left-arm seamer took just a solitary wicket in five matches and also leaked runs at an economy of over 11.
-Impact rule diminishing value of all-rounders
IPL has introduced the impact sub rule and it has diminished the importance of quality all-rounders. Now teams look to bring in specialist bowler and batter, which reduces Sam Curran's chances to be retained for IPL 2026.
-To create space for better overseas players
According to IPL rules, a team can only have eight overseas players and the Men in Yellow might look to release Sam Curran not for the financial reasons, but to create a spot to fill in more overseas players during IPL 2026 auction.
Conclusion
Sam Curran hasn't done anything wrong to be released for IPL 2026, but is also far away from achieving something significant to make him a certain retention. He has his pros and cons and it looks like that the Men in Yellow has more to gain from Curran by retaining him than releasing him and adding just 2.80 crores to their purse value.
Sam Curran and MS Dhoni for CSK - (Source : AFP)
