Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have confirmed that veteran captain MS Dhoni will return for another season, while the team has undergone significant changes ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. Among the notable developments, CSK has released key players, traded for marquee talent, and prepared for a transitional phase in the franchise’s journey.
Sanju Samson Joins CSK in Record-Breaking Trade
CSK made headlines by acquiring Rajasthan Royals star Sanju Samson for Rs 18 crore, marking the franchise’s largest-ever trade deal. With Samson joining the squad, speculation surrounds whether Ruturaj Gaikwad will resume captaincy after missing a large part of the previous season, during which Dhoni led the side.
Farewell to Legends: Jadeja and Curran Exit
The franchise bid farewell to Ravindra Jadeja, the legendary all-rounder, citing a planned transition as the key reason behind the move. Sam Curran was also traded to Rajasthan Royals, signaling CSK’s preparation for a post-Dhoni era. Other releases include big-money overseas players Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, as well as Matheesha Pathirana.
CSK Managing Director KS Viswanathan commented:
“A transition in a team’s journey is never easy. Trading out players like Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, who have been integral to our squad, was one of the toughest decisions in our history. We are deeply grateful for Jadeja’s contributions and welcome Sanju Samson, whose skills complement our ambitions. Every decision has been made with thought, respect, and long-term vision.”
Player Retentions and Auction Strategy
Ahead of the previous mega auction, CSK retained five players including Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja at Rs 18 crore each. Dhoni was retained under the modified uncapped player retention rule for Rs 4 crore. Matheesha Pathirana, previously retained for Rs 13 crore, has now been released, making that amount available in the auction purse.
CSK Purse and Retention Rules
- Maximum squad size: 25 players
- Franchise purse: Rs 120 crore
- CSK remaining purse: Rs 43.4 crore
Unlike mega auctions with strict retention limits, this cycle allows teams more flexibility to retain as many players as desired, providing strategic room for trades and acquisitions.
CSK’s Squad Changes Ahead of IPL 2026 Auction
Key Trades
- Sanju Samson – Rs 18 crore (traded in from Rajasthan Royals)
- Ravindra Jadeja – Traded to Rajasthan Royals
- Sam Curran – Traded to Rajasthan Royals
Players Retained
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (C)
- MS Dhoni
- Ayush Mhatre
- Dewald Brevis
- Urvil Patel
- Sanju Samson (Traded in)
- Shivam Dube
- Jamie Overton
- Ramakrishna Ghosh
- Noor Ahmad
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Anshul Kamboj
- Gurjapneet Singh
- Nathan Ellis
- Shreyas Gopal
- Mukesh Chouhdary
- R Ashwin (retired)
Players Released
- Ravindra Jadeja (traded)
- Rachin Ravindra
- Devon Conway
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Sam Curran (traded)
- Andre Siddarth
- Deepak Hooda
- Rahul Tripathi
- Shaikh Rasheed
- Vijay Shankar
CSK’s strategic decisions reflect both a respect for legacy players and a calculated plan for future success, balancing experience with fresh talent for the 2026 IPL season.
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