New Delhi: Team India all-rounder Washington Sundar is reportedly unlikely to move to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from Gujarat Titans (GT) ahead of the Indian
Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction. The IPL trade window is on ahead of the auction, which is set to take place in December this year.
Multiple franchises are looking to trade players from other teams to strengthen their teams ahead of the auction. Sundar’s name has been constantly linked with CSK after R Ashwin retired from IPL to part ways with the five-time champions. CSK are looking at Sundar as a replacement for Ashwin.
However, as per a report in Cricbuzz, the India all-rounder is unlikely to move to CSK from his current team, the Gujarat Titans. GT head coach Ashish Nehra has refused to entertain the idea of letting Sundar leave, and the franchise has conveyed the decision to CSK, who explored the feasibility of a move for the all-rounder.
Gujarat Titans bought Sundar for a sum of Rs 3.2 crore in the IPL mega auction last year. However, he managed to play only six games for the franchise in IPL 2025 and was not a regular in the playing XI. Nonetheless, Sundar has been a regular for India in Tests and white-ball cricket and is tipped as Ashwin’s long-term replacement in the Indian team.
Despite having made his IPL debut in 2017, Sundar has failed to establish his credentials as a reliable all-rounder in the league. He has played for the likes of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans, among others, but has failed to deliver consistently. Sundar has 511 runs and 39 wickets to his name in 66 matches in his IPL career so far.
KL Rahul’s move to KKR unlikely
KL Rahul has been linked to a move to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), however, he is reportedly unlikely to leave Delhi Capitals. The speculation regarding Rahul leaving DC started after reports surfaced about Sanju Samson’s potential trade from the Rajasthan Royals to the Delhi Capitals.
DC are reportedly looking to trade Tristan Stubbs and another domestic Indian player in exchange for Samson from RR. Both Samson and Rahul are like-for-like players, both wicket-keeper batters, who can open or bat across the top order. Thus, there were rumours that DC might consider letting Rahul go if they trade Samson.
However, as per Cricbuzz, KKR are unwilling to part ways with any of their marquee players in exchange for Rahul, and thus the wicket-keeper batter’s move to the three-time champions appears unlikely. KKR are looking for an experienced Indian wicket-keeper batter who can also lead the side. Both Rahul and Samson fit the bill, but the three-time champions are unlikely to land any of the two due to their unwillingness to part ways with their premier players like Rinku Singh or Varun Chakaravarthy.
