IPL 2026 Retention List: Top Players Chennai Super Kings Are Likely to Keep Before the Mini Auction
The 2025 season was one to forget for Chennai Super Kings. The five-time champions finished last, taking home the dreaded wooden spoon. With the auction for IPL 2026 coming up, the team is expected to make some bold calls to bounce back.
While CSK are famous for sticking with their core players, poor results mean some changes are likely.
Likely CSK Retentions for IPL 2026
| Player | Role | Reason for Retention |
|---|---|---|
| MS Dhoni (if not retired) | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Icon player, leader, mentor |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Batter | Best batter in recent seasons, captain option |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Bowler | Death bowling specialist |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder | Match-winner, over a decade at CSK |
| Shivam Dube | Batter | Reliable middle-order power hitter |
| Noor Ahmad | Bowler | Young world-class spinner |
| Dewald Brevis | Batter | Young talent, top scorer in 2025 |
| Ayush Mhatre | Batter | Promising domestic player |
| Urvil Patel | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Handy backup keeper and hitter |
| Anshul Kamboj | Bowler | Young Indian pacer |
| Khaleel Ahmed | Bowler | Left-arm pace option |
| Nathan Ellis | Bowler | Overseas seam backup |
| Vansh Bedi | All-rounder | Domestic spin option |
| Vijay Shankar | All-rounder | Flexible batting and bowling option |
| Ramakrishna Ghosh | Batter | Emerging domestic talent |
Likely CSK Releases for IPL 2026
| Player | Role | Reason for Release |
|---|---|---|
| Ravichandran Ashwin | Bowler | High price, below-par returns |
| Rachin Ravindra | All-rounder | Talent there, but hasn’t settled in team |
| Devon Conway | Batter | Injuries, loss of form |
| Rahul Tripathi | Batter | Outperformed by younger players |
| Deepak Hooda | Batter | Poor run in middle order |
| Sam Curran | All-rounder | Limited bowling impact, costly |
| Jamie Overton | All-rounder | Couldn’t cement a spot |
| Gurjapneet Singh | Bowler | Little game time |
| Mukesh Choudhary | Bowler | Fitness and form concerns |
| Shreyas Gopal | Bowler | Spin backup didn’t work out |
| Shaik Rasheed | Batter | Struggled to break into XI |
| C Andre Siddarth | Bowler | Not in plans |
| Kamlesh Nagarkoti | Bowler | Injury troubles |
CSK Squad After Retentions & Releases
Retained: MS Dhoni*, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Noor Ahmad, Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Nathan Ellis, Vansh Bedi, Vijay Shankar, Ramakrishna Ghosh
Released: Ravichandran Ashwin, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Gurjapneet Singh, Mukesh Choudhary, Shreyas Gopal, Shaik Rasheed, C Andre Siddarth, Kamlesh Nagarkoti
Captaincy for 2026
Ruturaj Gaikwad began as skipper in 2025 but got injured.
MS Dhoni led the second half of the season.
If Sanju Samson is traded in, he will likely take over as captain.
Likely CSK Auction Targets
A hard-hitting finisher in the lower middle-order
A wicketkeeper-batter (future replacement for Dhoni)
A pace-bowling all-rounder
A domestic spin backup
CSK: Potential Targets
| Player | Role | Why CSK Might Want Him |
|---|---|---|
| Sanju Samson (trade) | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Leader, experienced, Dhoni successor |
| Cameron Green | All-rounder | Power-hitting, seam bowling, flexibility |
| Donovan Ferreira | WK-Batter/All-rounder | Finisher, keeper, off-spin option |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Bowler | Young Indian leg-spinner, good for Chepauk |
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