IPL 2026 Auction: Players CSK Could Target In Mini Auction To Replace Matheesha Pathirana

IPL 2026 Auction: Chennai Super Kings surprised everyone with a few surprising moves as they announced their lists of retained and released players ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. CSK are expected to be incredibly active in the upcoming mini-auction, having lost 13 players from last season. They are left with a total of 9 slots to complete their squad for the upcoming season.  

The five-time champions CSK will be looking to build an impactful squad in order to produce an improved outing in the IPL 2026. They had a disappointing campaign in the IPL 2025 as they finished last in the standings under MS Dhoni's captaincy. It was the first time since the league’s inception in 2008 that CSK failed to reach the IPL playoffs in consecutive seasons.

CSK have made the most high-profile trade-in, bringing in star wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson for Rs 18 crore. In an interesting turn of events, the Men in Yellow have let go of legendary all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and overseas star Sam Curran, with the duo going to the Rajasthan Royals (RR). CSK have also released Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, freeing up Rs 13 crore for the team. With Pathirana's release, CSK are likely to prioritise a specialist death bowler.

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Adding to the medium pace bowling vacancies, CSK got rid of Vijay Shankar and Kamlesh Nagarkoti.

While CSK are set to enter the IPL 2026 auction with the second-highest purse at Rs 43.40 crore, let's take a look at a few pace bowling options the five-time champions could go for. Notably, they retained the likes of Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis and Shivam Dube among others.

Players CSK Can Go For In IPL 2026 Auction To Replace Matheesha Pathirana

With Pathirana's release, CSK are likely to search for a specialist death bowler. Reece Topley, released by the Mumbai Indians, offers a good left-arm variety. On the other hand, Gerald Coetzee, let go by the Gujarat Titans, provides high pace and could be a long-term investment.

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Here are a few more options for CSK:

Mohit Sharma (released by DC): 134 wickets in 120 IPL career matches

Chetan Sakariya (released by KKR): 20 wickets in 20 IPL career matches

Rajvardhan Hangargekar (released by LSG): 3 wickets in 2 IPL career matches

Akash Deep (released by LSG): 10 wickets in 14 IPL career matches

Overseas pace-bowling options for CSK in the IPL 2026 auction

Fazalhaq Farooqi (released by RR): 6 wickets in 12 IPL career matches

Lungi Ngidi (released by RCB): 29 wickets in 16 IPL career matches

Spencer Johnson (released by KKR): 5 wickets in 9 IPL career matches

Anrich Nortje (released by KKR): 61 wickets in 48 IPL career matches

CSK Squad Ahead Of IPL 2026 Auction: Ruturaj Gaikwad, MS Dhoni, Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Anshul Kamboj, Jamie Overton*, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Shivam Dube, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmed*, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis*, Shreyas Gopal, Gurjapneet Singh, Sanju Samson