With the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) getting hands on to their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title after beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the summit clash in June 2025 in Ahmedabad, the talks around the IPL 2026 are already on. With the IPL 2026 mini-auction set to take place later this year in December, there have been rumours with the trade window currently open.
However, amid the ongoing window, the five-time champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have already secured the services of South Africa hard-hitter Dewald Brevis, they will also miss the services of veteran India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who bid adieu to IPL in August, months after his international retirement.
CSK holds IPL 2026 player trials in Chennai: Report
With only a few months left to the auction, the Yellow Army
are holding special player trials in Chennai. According to a report citing The Indian Express, veteran cricketer MS Dhoni has been closely involved in player trials, which has seen over 40-50 players be a part of it. The trials are being conducted under head coach Stephen Fleming and fielding coach Rajiv Kumar.
If reports are to be believed, majority of the players are batters after CSK struggled in their batting depth in the 2025 season. As the trial is expected to culminate on September 21, reports are rife that the franchise is interested in an Indian batter who has fallen down in pecking order.
Speaking of CSK’s IPL 2025 season, the franchise finished at the bottom-most spot with only four wins in 14 league games. After losing their skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad early due to an elbow injury, under MS Dhoni’s leadership, the side had their worst possible results, finishing the season with only eight points.
