Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have entered the IPL 2026 cycle with one of their most dramatic squad overhauls in recent years, following a trade window that stunned fans across the league. The biggest headline, of course, is Ravindra Jadeja's emotional departure after 12 glittering seasons in yellow.
The star all-rounder has officially joined Rajasthan Royals, a move that also saw RR skipper Sanju Samson shifting to Chennai and Sam Curran packing his bags for Jaipur. For Jadeja, it marks a homecoming of sorts-he returns to the franchise where his IPL story began in 2008.
The trade has also come with a financial twist, with Jadeja now set to earn ₹14 crore, a reduction from his previous ₹18 crore, while Samson and Curran retain their existing salaries.
The transition signals a fresh era at CSK, who must now reconstruct their balance without one of their longest-serving match-winners. Jadeja admitted he consulted MS Dhoni before agreeing to the move, and as per reports, he "agreed it was best for all parties. " But the shake-up doesn't stop there. CSK are also preparing to part ways with Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who was retained last year for ₹13 crore but has struggled with recurring injuries and a reworked bowling action that has affected his rhythm. Pathirana featured in just 12 matches in IPL 2025, claiming 13 wickets at an economy of 10.14. Chennai may consider buying him back at a reduced price, though the presence of Nathan Ellis gives them reliable overseas cover.
The five-time champions have made tough calls in the retention window, releasing several senior and fringe names as they eye a younger, more dynamic core for the 2026 season. With Sanju Samson expected to take on a major role and MS Dhoni still retained, the leadership group remains formidable. Shivam Dube, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Dewald Brevis also stay on, ensuring CSK maintain firepower across departments. Rajasthan Royals, meanwhile, emerge as big winners in the trade market, having aggressively reshaped their squad around Jadeja and Curran.
Below is the complete list of Chennai Super Kings' retention and release decisions for the IPL 2026 season:
CSK IPL 2026 - Retained and Released Players
Retained Players
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Ayush Mhatre
- Dewald Brevis
- MS Dhoni
- Urvil Patel
- Shivam Dube
- Jamie Overton
- Ramakrishna Ghosh
- Noor Ahmad
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Anshul Kamboj
- Gurjapneet Singh
- Nathan Ellis
- Shreyas Gopal
- Mukesh Choudhary
Released Players
- Rahul Tripathi
- Vansh Bedi
- Andre Siddarth
- Rachin Ravindra
- Deepak Hooda
- Vijay Shankar
- Shaik Rasheed
- Kamlesh Nagarkoti
- Matheesha Pathirana
