Samson comes in; 12 players released: CSK's retention plan analysed before IPL mini auction 

CSK's retention strategy decoded [Source: AFP Photo]

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2026 trade retentions are done and dusted as all ten franchises have released the unwanted players and only the best in the business have been kept for next season. One of the IPL teams that actually had an interesting trade and retention window was the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

The franchise had a dismal IPL 2025 season, where they finished last in the points table , but they made up for it with quite a few shrewd signings and trades and in this piece, we will analyse how the Yellow Army fared in the retention window and the loopholes they need to fill in the upcoming mini auction.

CSK retained players before mini auction

• If we compare CSK’s retention list with other IPL sides, there is a clear idea that the franchise has followed, and that is to retain only the best of the lot. Interestingly, the old guards are gone and the franchise is planning to invest in young talents with Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis at the centre of attraction.
• Ahead of the mini auction, CSK have also sorted out their future plans by trading Sanju Samson in place of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Samson can be the future CSK skipper and will be MS Dhoni’s wicket-keeper successor as the franchise has their long-term plans ready.
• However, the bowling lacks the cutting-edge, especially with the release of Matheesha Pathirana.

CSK released players list

Ravichandran Ashwin (retired), Ravindra Jadeja (traded to RR), Sam Curran (traded to RR), Devon Conway, Matheesha Pathirana, Rahul Tripathi, Vansh Bedi, Andre Siddarth, Rachin Ravindra, Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Shaik Rasheed, Kamlesh Nagarkoti

CSK's Samson trade masterstroke

• Perhaps the biggest trade in the history of IPL took place in 2025 as Sanju Samson was traded from the Rajasthan Royals, and this has helped CSK in multiple aspects. With Ayush Mhatre at the top and Ruturaj Gaikwad preferred at number 3, the franchise needed another opener alongside Mhatre and Samson’s arrival will solve the issue.
• The numbers tell the story, Samson is one of the best IPL batters and has performed exceptionally well in the league.

(Samson in IPL 2025)

• The Kerala batter has done well in the league, and at 31, he still has 4-5 good years ahead of him as the team plans for the future.
• Moreover, with Samson coming in CSK, the franchise shipped Ravindra Jadeja (36 years old), and Sam Curran (out of form player), to RR, and have won the deal since they have got an upgrade over them.
• MS Dhoni might not play beyond this season, and if he retires after 2026, Samson is the readymade keeping option and the franchise won’t have to look somewhere else to replace MSD in the longer-run.

Loopholes CSK need to fill in during mini auction

With the mini auction ahead, CSK has done more than half of their job, but there are a couple of areas they need to invest in for the future - a quality finisher, and a quality foreign pacer.

Most of their job has already been done with their top 6 largely settled, but the team still lacks a solid finisher, especially with MSD not getting any younger.

(MSD in last three IPL seasons)

• If the stats are to go by, then the 2025 season was MSD’s worst in the last three campaigns. He scored 196 runs, but his strike rate dropped down from 220 in 2024 to 135 in 2025.
• Moreover, his finishing abilities were also questioned as MS Dhoni failed to steer CSK to victories in numerous matches in 2025. Hence, the team needs a finisher who can reduce MSD’s burden.

A pacer to support Khaleel Ahmed

Khaleel Ahmed was CSK’s best bowler in 2025, but the left-armer hardly received any support from the other end as the franchise struggled to take wickets. Noor Ahmad was the only shining light apart from Khaleel as CSK lacked the cutting-edge in the bowling department.

Hence, investing in a top-quality pacer would be CSK’s second priority in the mini auction.

Conclusion

• CSK had one of the best retentions by any team, and they made quite a few interesting decisions. One of the masterstrokes was bringing in Samson in a trade deal and shipping off older players to create a younger squad.
• The franchise has built a strong batting core with only a need for a finisher, but the real problem lies in the bowling department.
• The team needs to replace the retired R Ashwin in the mini auction, and also need a quality pacer who can give support to Khaleel Ahmed, as the rest of the squad looks perfect and balanced for next season.

OneCricket's trade and retention rating: 9/10

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