Chennai Super Kings are heading into the IPL 2026 season with one of the biggest squad overhauls in their recent history. The franchise has released a large pool of players and retained a strong core, clearly indicating a strategy to rebuild and refresh the team ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
CSK have released a total of 11 players, the highest among all franchises. These exits include some big overseas names along with several Indian middle order and bench options. At the same time, the team management has shown trust in its proven performers and a few promising youngsters, keeping them for the upcoming season. With a strong auction purse in hand, Chennai Super Kings are well placed to target key players and address specific gaps in the squad.
Short Summary of CSK IPL 2026 Retention
Particular |
Details |
|---|---|
Team Name |
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) |
Season |
IPL 2026 |
Total Players Released |
11 |
Key Released Overseas Players |
Matheesha Pathirana, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Sam Curran |
Key Retained Players |
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Noor Ahmad, MS Dhoni |
Auction Purse Available |
Rs 43.4 crore |
Objective |
Major squad reset and rebuild before IPL 2026 auction |
Official IPL Website |
Major Highlights of CSK IPL 2026 Retention
1. Highest Number of Releases Among All Franchises
Chennai Super Kings have released 11 players ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. This is the highest figure among all teams, which clearly shows that CSK are planning a significant reset.
The list of released players includes both overseas and Indian names. Several of these players did not get enough opportunities or could not make a strong impact in IPL 2025, leading the team management to look for fresh options.
2. Big Overseas Names Released
Four overseas players have been let go by CSK:
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Rachin Ravindra
- Devon Conway
- Sam Curran
Sam Curran has moved to Rajasthan Royals as part of a major trade deal. This move opens up a large portion of CSK’s budget and allows them to rework the balance of their all round department.
Matheesha Pathirana’s release comes after two injury affected seasons. Once considered a key death bowler for CSK, his form dipped and his availability became uncertain due to fitness problems. As a result, the management decided to move on and look for more reliable options.
Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway are also among the big names released. Both are quality top order batters, but with changes in team strategy and a focus on rebuilding, CSK have opted for flexibility and more room in the auction purse.
3. Middle Order and Bench Overhaul
CSK have also released several Indian middle order and squad players who could not cement their place in the playing eleven. These include:
- Deepak Hooda
- Rahul Tripathi
- Shaik Rasheed
- Vijay Shankar
- C Andre Siddarth
- Vansh Bedi
- Kamlesh Nagarkoti
Many of these names either did not play regularly or struggled to showcase consistent form during the previous season. By releasing them, CSK can now search for in form Indian batters and utility players at the auction to strengthen their bench and middle order.
CSK Released Players List for IPL 2026
The table below shows the released players along with their previous salary in IPL 2025. The IPL 2026 team and new salary are yet to be decided and are marked as TBD.
Player Name |
IPL 2026 Team |
IPL 2025 Team |
Current Salary (IPL 2026) |
Previous Salary (IPL 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Matheesha Pathirana |
TBD |
CSK |
TBD |
Rs 13 crore |
Rachin Ravindra |
TBD |
CSK |
TBD |
Rs 4 crore |
Rahul Tripathi |
TBD |
CSK |
TBD |
Rs 3.4 crore |
Deepak Hooda |
TBD |
CSK |
TBD |
Rs 1.7 crore |
Vijay Shankar |
TBD |
CSK |
TBD |
Rs 1.2 crore |
Vansh Bedi |
TBD |
CSK |
TBD |
Rs 55 lakh |
C Andre Siddarth |
TBD |
CSK |
TBD |
Rs 30 lakh |
Shaik Rasheed |
TBD |
CSK |
TBD |
Rs 30 lakh |
Kamlesh Nagarkoti |
TBD |
CSK |
TBD |
Rs 30 lakh |
These exits create multiple vacancies across batting, all round and fast bowling roles, giving CSK the flexibility to target specific profiles at the auction.
CSK Retained Players Ahead of IPL 2026 Auction
Despite the major clear out, Chennai Super Kings have ensured that their core remains strong. They have retained key match winners as well as a few promising talents who can grow with the franchise in the coming years.
Key Retained Players and Roles
- Ruturaj Gaikwad: Premier top order batter and one of the main pillars of the batting line up.
- Ravindra Jadeja: Senior all rounder, match winner with both bat and ball, and an exceptional fielder.
- Shivam Dube: Powerful middle order batter and seam bowling all rounder who has proven his value in recent seasons.
- Noor Ahmad: Young left arm spinner retained at a significant price, indicating CSK’s trust in his wicket taking ability.
- Ravichandran Ashwin: Experienced all rounder and spin specialist who adds control, experience and batting depth.
- MS Dhoni: Retained as a batter and leader figure, his presence continues to be crucial in the dressing room and on the field.
In addition, CSK have kept several bowlers and all rounders to maintain a balanced squad structure.
Detailed List of CSK Retained Players and Salary
Player Name |
Type |
Base Price (Rs crore) |
Sold / Retained Price (Rs crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
Ruturaj Gaikwad |
BAT |
– |
18 |
Ravindra Jadeja |
AR |
– |
18 |
Shivam Dube |
AR |
– |
12 |
Noor Ahmad |
BOWL |
2 |
10 |
Ravichandran Ashwin |
AR |
2 |
9.75 |
Devon Conway |
BAT |
2 |
6.25 |
Khaleel Ahmed |
BOWL |
2 |
4.8 |
MS Dhoni |
BAT |
– |
4 |
Anshul Kamboj |
AR |
0.3 |
3.4 |
Gurjapneet Singh |
BOWL |
0.3 |
2.2 |
Nathan Ellis |
BOWL |
1.25 |
2 |
Jamie Overton |
AR |
1.5 |
1.5 |
Ramakrishna Ghosh |
AR |
0.3 |
0.3 |
Mukesh Choudhary |
BOWL |
0.3 |
0.3 |
Shreyas Gopal |
BOWL |
0.3 |
0.3 |
This core group covers top order batting, middle order power hitters, spin bowling options, fast bowlers and multi dimensional all rounders.
Auction Purse and Future Strategy
With 11 players released and several big salaries freed up, CSK will enter the IPL 2026 auction with an impressive purse of Rs 43.4 crore. This gives the franchise a huge advantage in targeting high impact players and outbidding rivals for specific roles.
The likely focus areas for CSK at the auction will include:
- A reliable death overs fast bowler to replace Pathirana
- Additional middle order batters who can score quickly and handle pressure
- Backup wicketkeeper and flexible batting options
- Young Indian talents who can be groomed for future seasons
By combining a solid retained core with smart auction buys, Chennai Super Kings will aim to build another title contending squad for IPL 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions on CSK IPL 2026 Retention
Q1. How many players have CSK released ahead of the IPL 2026 auction
CSK have released a total of 11 players before the IPL 2026 auction. This is the highest number of releases by any franchise for this season.
Q2. What is the auction purse available with CSK for IPL 2026
Chennai Super Kings will go into the IPL 2026 auction with a strong purse of Rs 43.4 crore, which will help them rebuild and strengthen the squad.
Q3. Which major overseas players have been released by CSK
The major overseas players released by CSK are Matheesha Pathirana, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway and Sam Curran. Curran has already moved to Rajasthan Royals through a trade.
Q4. Who are the key retained players for CSK in IPL 2026
Some of the key retained players are Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Noor Ahmad, Ravichandran Ashwin, MS Dhoni and Khaleel Ahmed, along with several other bowlers and all rounders.
Q5. Where can fans check official updates on IPL 2026 and CSK squads
Fans can visit the official IPL website at https://www.iplt20.com to check updated squad lists, schedules, auction details and official announcements related to IPL 2026.
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