Chennai Super Kings (CSK) need to pick players in key positions during the 2026 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction, which is set to take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on December 16.
The five-time champions have released 10 players this month, while two have been traded. Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, and Vijay Shankar are three all-rounders they released ahead of the auction. They will need to pick at least one solid all-rounder to add balance to their side. Meanwhile,
they have also left out multiple Indian batters like Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, and Shaik Rasheed. CSK would want to rope in some domestic batters.
CSK would also want to sign an ace overseas fast bowler who can bowl well in the death overs. Having released Matheesha Pathirana from the squad, they would have to pick someone who can fill his boots.
3. Matheesha Pathirana
It was surprising to see CSK releasing Matheesha Pathirana after just one dismal season. The 22-year-old was retained for INR 13 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction. But he couldn't justify his price tag this season, picking up 13 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 10.14.
CSK are heading into the auction with the second-highest budget of INR 43.40 crore. However, there are not too many players available in the auction who can perform Pathirana's role in the death overs. The Men in Yellow will want to rope the right-arm speedster back into the side. However, they might have to dish out more than INR 13 crore for him.
2. Prithvi Shaw
Prithvi Shaw went unsold in the previous mega-auction. He moved to Maharashtra ahead of the ongoing domestic season and has been in good form in the Ranji Trophy. The right-handed batter has scored 470 runs in seven innings at an average of 67.14 and a strike rate of 92.34.
Shaw plays alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad for Maharashtra. The latter recently shared his Player of the Match award with Shaw during the Ranji Trophy. The two players share good camaraderie and could forge a formidable opening pair in the IPL. With Sanju Samson also joining the side via trade, CSK could have themselves a great Indian top-order.
1. Andre Russell
Having been released from KKR, talismanic all-rounder Andre Russell would be entering the auction next month. While CSK's primary target for the all-rounder's role would be Cameron Green, they might not be able to match KKR's bid for the Australian star, as the three-time champions have the biggest budget heading into the auction.
Russell could be the best choice in that case for CSK. The experienced campaigner still has that aura around him. He can still pulverise the best bowling attacks around the world and bowl at least two-three overs with ease. Russell can also take on the spinners, something that could be crucial at Chepauk, where the tweakers play massive roles.
