CSK IPL 2026: Full List of Retained and Released Players for Chennai Super Kings IPL Auction and Details
The Chennai Super Kings have won the Indian Premier League title five times. Although they didn’t make it to the playoffs in IPL 2025, they will be eager to return to winning form in the 2026 season.
For that to happen, CSK will focus on keeping their team stable with Ruturaj Gaikwad leading as captain. The team has received a big boost, as former captain and their ‘Thala,’ MS Dhoni, will be playing in IPL 2026, as confirmed by the Chennai Super Kings CEO, Kasi Viswanathan.
What are the IPL 2026 Retention rules?
The IPL 2026 season won’t have a mega auction. Instead, there will be a smaller auction, allowing teams to have more control over their current players. Teams can choose which players to keep or let go, depending on their budget and plans.
- Teams may retain as many players as they want.
- Each squad must consist of 18-25 players.
- The total spending must remain within the Rs 120 crore salary cap.
Here is the full list of Retained players by Chennai Super Kings –
| S.NO. | NAME | Country |
| 1. | Ruturaj Gaikwad | India |
| 2. | Ayush Mhatre | India |
| 3. | Dewald Brevis | South Africa |
| 4. | MS Dhoni | India |
| 5. | Urvil Patel | India |
| 6. | Sanju Samson (Trade In) | India |
| 7. | Shivam Dube | India |
| 8. | Jamie Overton | England |
| 9. | Ramakrishna Ghosh | India |
| 10. | Noor Ahmad | Afghanistan |
| 11. | Khaleel Ahmed | India |
| 12. | Anshul Kamboj | India |
| 13. | Gurjapneet Singh | India |
| 14. | Nathan Ellis | Australia |
| 15. | Shreyas Gopal | India |
| 16. | Mukesh Choudhary | India |
Here is the full list of Top 5 Released players by Chennai Super Kings –
| S.NO. | NAME | Country | PRICE |
| 1. | Ravindra Jadeja | India | 14 Crore |
| 2. | Matheesha Pathirana | Sri Lanka | 13 Crore |
| 3. | Devon Conway | New Zealand | 6.25 Crore |
| 4. | Rachin Ravindra | New Zealand | 4 Crore |
| 5. | Sam Curran | England | 2.4 Crore |
How much money will the Chennai Super Kings take for the IPL 2026 Auction?
Chennai Super Kings have Rs 43.4 Crore remaining in their purse for the IPL 2026 mini-auction. This means they have enough money to make a few strategic purchases and strengthen their squad. With this budget, CSK will likely target key players to improve their team, especially in areas where they might need more depth, such as bowling or batting. They’ll be looking to make smart buys without overspending, ensuring they maintain a balanced and competitive squad for the upcoming season.
When is the IPL 2026 Auction?
The IPL 2026 mini-auction will be held on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, making it the second year in a row that the auction will take place outside India. In 2024, the IPL 2025 auction was hosted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.