In 2025, the Chennаi Super Kings experienced their worst IPL seаson ever. Ruturaj Gаikwad was the captain at the beginning, but CSK only won 4 of their 14 games. They finished last in the standings and were the first team eliminated from the plаyoffs. When Gaikwad was injured and MS Dhoni took over as captain in the second half things slightly improved. However, Dhoni’s magic was insufficient to save their season.
All things considered, CSK hаd a very bad season and finished last for the first time in IPL history. They have a great chance to come back stronger in IPL 2026. Since many senior players, including Devon Conway and Ravichаndran Ashwin, did not do well this season, a lot will depend on how they rebuild the team. CSK will pick smart players at the IPL 2026 аuction and release some expensive players to improve the team. This means they must first let go of a few players.
Chennai Super Kings 2025 IPL Squad – Auction Prices and Season Performance
| Player | Sold Price (₹ Cr) | IPL 2025 Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Ravindra Jadeja | 18.00 | Batting: 118 runs (SR 124.21, 8×4, 4×6) – Bowling: 10 wickets, Economy 7.65, Best: 2/15 |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 18.00 | 343 runs in 8 inns, Avg 49.0, SR 140.08, 35×4, 12×6, HS: 98* (injured mid-season) |
| Matheesha Pathirana | 13.00 | 17 wickets in 13 matches, Economy 9.12, Best: 4/28 vs RR |
| Shivam Dube | 12.00 | 362 runs in 14 inns, SR 132.0, 31×4, 18×6, HS: 66* |
| Noor Ahmad | 10.00 | 12 wickets in 9 matches, Economy 8.84, Best: 2/24 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 9.75 | 7 wickets in 9 matches, Economy 9.13 – Plus 48 runs (SR 120.0) |
| Devon Conway | 6.25 | 222 runs in 8 inns, SR 142.31, 18×4, 12×6, HS: 87* |
| Khaleel Ahmed | 4.80 | 11 wickets in 8 matches, Economy 10.12, Best: 3/31 |
| MS Dhoni | 4.00 | 161 runs in 12 inns, SR 220.55, 12×4, 13×6, HS: 37* (Captain in 2nd half) |
| Rachin Ravindra | 4.00 | 222 runs in 10 inns, SR 126.14, 18×4, 8×6, HS: 61 |
| Anshul Kamboj | 3.40 | Limited opportunities – 2 wickets in 3 matches |
| Rahul Tripathi | 3.40 | 55 runs in 5 inns, Avg 11.0, SR 107.84 |
| Sam Curran | 2.40 | Batting: 78 runs (SR 104.0) – Bowling: 5 wickets, Economy 8.95 |
| Gurjapneet Singh | 2.20 | 2 wickets in 4 matches, Economy 9.45 |
| Nathan Ellis | 2.00 | 8 wickets in 6 matches, Economy 8.67, Best: 2/20 |
| Dewald Brevis | 2.20 | 184 runs in 7 inns, SR 168.81, 19×4, 8×6, HS: 59 |
| Deepak Hooda | 1.70 | 31 runs in 5 inns, SR 75.61 – Bowling: 1 wicket |
| Jamie Overton | 1.50 | 42 runs (SR 140.0) – Bowling: 4 wickets in 5 matches |
| Vijay Shankar | 1.20 | 118 runs in 6 inns, SR 118.0, HS: 69* |
| Ayush Mhatre | 0.30 | 125 runs in 6 inns, SR 142.05, 12×4, 4×6 |
| Urvil Patel | 0.30 | 91 runs in 4 inns, SR 210.47, 8×4, 6×6 |
| Vansh Bedi | 0.55 | Limited opportunities, replacement player |
| Shreyas Gopal | 0.30 | 1 wicket in 2 matches |
| C Andre Siddarth | 0.30 | No appearances |
| Ramakrishna Ghosh | 0.30 | No appearances |
| Shaik Rasheed | 0.30 | Limited opportunities |
| Mukesh Choudhary | 0.30 | 2 wickets in 3 matches |
| Kamlesh Nagarkoti | 0.30 | Limited opportunities |
Chennai Super Kings Retained Players
Star Players (High Salary):
Ravindra Jadeja– ₹18 crores (All-round legend)
Ruturaj Gaikwad– ₹18 crores (Captain & opening star)
Matheesha Pathirana– ₹13 crores (Death bowling specialist)
Shivam Dube– ₹12 crores (Power-hitting all-rounder)
Noor Ahmad– ₹10 crores (Young spin sensation)
Key Support Players:
Khaleel Ahmed– ₹4.80 crores (Left-arm pace option)
MS Dhoni– ₹4 crores (Icon & mentor)
Anshul Kamboj– ₹3.40 crores (Indian all-rounder)
Nathan Ellis– ₹2 crores (Overseas seamer)
Promising Young Talents:
- Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, and Urvil Patel – the three replacement players who impressed in the second half of IPL 2025.
- Vansh Bedi, Andre Siddarth, Ramakrishna Ghosh, and Shaik Rasheed – young Indians for the future.
Chennai Super Kings Released Players
| Player Name | Salary | Why Released |
|---|---|---|
| Ravichandran Ashwin | ₹9.75 crores | Poor performance – only 7 wickets in 9 games with 9.13 economy rate, also stepped down from academy role |
| Devon Conway | ₹6.25 crores | Good stats but CSK need to free up money for rebuilding |
| Rachin Ravindra | ₹4 crores | Decent performance but too expensive for his contribution |
| Rahul Tripathi | ₹3.40 crores | Terrible season – only 55 runs in 5 innings at 107 strike rate |
| Sam Curran | ₹2.40 crores | Average performance, didn’t justify the price tag |
| Gurjapneet Singh | ₹2.20 crores | Poor bowling stats, gave away too many runs |
| Deepak Hooda | ₹1.70 crores | Failed with bat – 31 runs at 75 strike rate in 5 innings |
| Jamie Overton | ₹1.50 crores | Limited impact, CSK need better overseas options |
| Vijay Shankar | ₹1.20 crores | Couldn’t cement his place in playing XI |
| Shreyas Gopal | ₹0.30 crores | Only 1 wicket in 2 matches |
| Mukesh Choudhary | ₹0.30 crores | Injury issues and poor form |
| Kamlesh Nagarkoti | ₹0.30 crores | Couldn’t get consistent game time |
Chennai Super Kings Targeted Players in IPL 2026 Auction
Cameron Green
Cameron Green could be CSK’s main target in the auction. The Australian all-rounder can do what CSK missed in 2025. He can hit big in the middle order and also bowl fast. He can bat anywhere from 3 to 7 and bowl four overs, making him a perfect fit for Dhoni’s plans.
Sanju Samson (Trade Option)
CSK is interested in Sanju Samson, who may leave Rajasthan Royals. The wicket-keeper batter could be a long-term replacement for MS Dhoni. His experience as a leader and consistent batting make him a great fit for CSK.
Ben Duckett
Ben Duckett’s aggressive batting at the top could solve CSK’s opening problems. While Gaikwad holds one end, Duckett can attack the bowlers from the first ball. His good recent form in international cricket makes him an exciting choice.
Donovan Ferreira (Trade Option)
Ferreira can give CSK exactly what they need. He can finish matches with the bat, keep wickets, and bowl off-spin. If Delhi Capitals release him, CSK could make a strong bid for this South African player.
Mark Wood
CSK lacked fast bowling in 2025. Mark Wood’s speed could add a new edge to their attack. He can bowl over 150 kmph consistently and would work well with Pathirana in the death overs.
Washington Sundar (Trade Option)
If Gujarat Titans are ready to trade, Washington Sundar could be a great addition. His off-spin and batting lower in the order would cover the gap left by Ashwin’s departure.
Mitchell Owen
The young Australian opener has impressed in the Big Bash League. CSK could pick him as a budget option to bring energy at the top of the order.
CSK IPL 2026 Purse & Auction Budget Breakdown
| Budget Category | Amount | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Total Purse for IPL 2026 | ₹125 crores | 100% |
| Money Spent on Retained Players | ₹86.65 crores | 69% |
| Money Saved from Releases | ₹33.30 crores | 27% |
| Available for Auction | ₹36.35 crores | 31% |
IPL 2026 Mini Auction: When and Where It Will Happen?
The retention deadline for IPL 2026 is expected to be in late October 2025, and the mini auction is likely to take place in December 2025 or January 2026. The venue will be in India, most likely Mumbai or Delhi, and it will be conducted as a mini auction, not a mega auction.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Auction Type | Mini Auction |
| Expected Date | December 2025 – January 2026 |
| Venue | Mumbai or Delhi, India |
| Total Purse per Team | ₹125 crores |
| Maximum Players per Team | 25 |
| Retention Deadline | Late October 2025 (dates not yet officially confirmed) |
| Auction Format | Teams buy players to fill remaining slots after retention and release |
ALSO READ: Chennai Super Kings Team Profile & History in IPL
Code: TOPBK
