CSK Squad 2026: Full player list after IPL 2026 auction

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a forgettable IPL 2025 season, finishing at the last spot with just eight points in 14 games (four wins and 10 losses). Hence, for a franchise like them and their fans, the upcoming 2026 season is crucial to make a solid comeback. For that reason, they have now assembled a strong and exciting 25-member squad.

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Initially, they retained 16 players, including Sanju Samson, whom they traded in from Rajasthan Royals (RR) by letting go of both Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Therefore, in the recently concluded mini-auction for the upcoming season in Abu Dhabi, CSK went in with an available purse of INR 43.4 crore, with a maximum of nine slots to be filled.

However, they executed their plans brilliantly by acquiring some prolific young names shining bright in domestic cricket and leagues, with the hope that those players will grab the opportunity to play in the IPL with both hands. CSK paid INR 14.2 crore each for both Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma. Thus, they became the joint most expensive uncapped players ever in the history of the tournament.

They also strengthened their spin department by acquiring the services of West Indies’ Akeal Hosein and India’s Rahul Chahar. Sarfaraz Khan, who is showing outstanding form with the bat in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, finally got a team as CSK bagged him for INR 75 lakh. They also secured Kiwi pacer Matt Henry for just INR 2 crore, who can be a pivotal part of the squad given his fitness standards.

Hence, going into the next season, the spotlight will be on the young and exciting names on whom CSK have shown immense faith, while captain Ruturaj Gaikwad now has several options to work with, especially when it comes to the bowling department.

CSK full squad for IPL 2026

Retained players

Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, MS Dhoni, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis. Traded in: Sanju Samson (from RR).

Players bought in the auction

Kartik Sharma (14.20 cr), Prashant Veer (14.20 cr), Rahul Chahar (5.20 cr), Akeal Hosein (2 cr), Matt Henry (2 cr), Matthew Short (1.50 cr), Aman Khan (40 L), Sarfaraz Khan (75 L), Zakary Foulkes (75 L).

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