The road to the IPL 2026 has well and truly begun as almost all franchises came out with a list of players who they are retaining, releasing or trading but for Chennai Super Kings ( CSK). For CSK supporters, this round of retention represents one of the most daring revamps they have done in recent years. In this post I provide you an in-depth analysis of who has stayed, who has left, and what the new CSK team is going to look like — all written in plain speak.
Why This Retention Round Matters
It was such a poor conclusion to the 2025 edition of the IPL for CSK, as they ended up being at the lowest rung on points table for time ever.
With this background, the Management of CSK chose to make several changes. They kept a core contingent of players — young, old and foreign talent alike — while releasing or trading away several high-profile names. That’s a big deal, because what happens here largely informs how they are going to attack the auction (or economise), what their balance will be for next season, and even who their real personnel should be from now on.
CSK Retained Players for IPL 2026
Here is the confirmed list of players that CSK have retained (or acquired via trade) before the 2026 auction.
| Player Name | Notes / Role |
|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Retained — expected to lead the batting/top-order. |
| Ayush Mhatre | Young Indian batter retained, seen as future asset. |
| Dewald Brevis | Overseas batter retained — adds firepower in middle/lower order. |
| MS Dhoni | Legendary WK-batter and senior presence retained. |
| Urvil Patel | Wicketkeeper-batter retained, provides depth. |
| Sanju Samson | Traded in (from another team) — big wicketkeeper-batter acquisition. |
| Shivam Dube | All-rounder retained — adds middle-order batting and flexibility. |
| Jamie Overton | Overseas all-rounder/fast-bowling option retained. |
| Ramakrishna Ghosh | Domestic batter retained for future potential. |
| Noor Ahmad | Overseas spinner retained — offers spin options. |
| Khaleel Ahmed | Indian pacer retained — gives pace-bowling strength. |
| Anshul Kamboj | Young Indian bowler retained for bowling depth. |
| Gurjapneet Singh | Indian pacer retained — adding to the fast-bowling reserves. |
| Nathan Ellis | Overseas fast bowler retained — death-overs and pace strength. |
| Shreyas Gopal | Spinner (leg/spin) retained — spin variety in squad. |
| Mukesh Choudhary | Indian fast-bowling option retained. |
Purse remaining after retentions/trade: ₹ 43.40 crore.
This core group forms CSK’s skeleton ahead of the auction — a mix of youth, overseas flair, domestic bowlers, and experience from veterans like Dhoni and Gaikwad.
CSK Released / Traded Players for IPL 2026
As part of the overhaul, CSK released or traded several players. Here is the confirmed list as they go into the 2026 season.
| Player Name | Status / Notes |
|---|---|
| Ravindra Jadeja | Traded out — major all-rounder leaves. |
| Sam Curran | Traded out — overseas all-rounder moves. |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Released — pacer not retained. |
| Rachin Ravindra | Released — New Zealand batter no longer in squad. |
| Devon Conway | Released — overseas batting option removed. |
| Rahul Tripathi | Released — Indian batter removed from core squad. |
| Vansh Bedi | Released — young Indian player removed. |
| Andre Siddarth | Released — squad depth changed. |
| Deepak Hooda | Released — middle-order batting option removed. |
| Vijay Shankar | Released — all-rounder/middle-order bat removed. |
| Shaik Rasheed | Released — young Indian talent let go. |
| Kamlesh Nagarkoti | Released — fast-bowling reserve removed from list. |
The only way CSK can find their feet for themselves and the fans is by showing a desire to bring new characters — across age, form, and flexibility — on board for IPL 2026.
Headline Move: The Big Trade — Sanju Samson in, Jadeja & Curran Out
The blockbusters among the moves from CSK’s 2026 retention window was undoubtedly the swap that saw Sanju Samson arrive at CSK and two old guards – Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran – heading to Rajasthan Royals. The Indian Express+2The Times of India+2This is also part of what Société Générale said in a note to its investors recently.
- Why it’s massive: Jadeja, for over a decade, has been an emblem of CSK’s success — as an elite all-rounder (batting + spin bowling + fielding). Bidding him goodbye is a sign of CSK moving towards long-term future.
- What Samson brings: Sanju Samson has batsmanship that can explode, with his wicket-keeping and middle-order sturdiness. His selection indicates that CSK desire balance: solid top order and reliable middle-order hitting, while also keeping faith in youth & resources.
- Squad implication: The trade has a diminishing effect on all-round bowling (spin particularly) depth, but CSK looks prepared to punt on both younger and overseas bowlers.
What This New Squad Means for CSK in IPL 2026
With the retention and release plan in place, about what CSK’s 2026 outfit might look like stripped of its stuck-in-the-present roster, we sketch a team that seems built around some basic themes and motivations.
Stability + Youth + Overseas Flexibility
- Having retained stalwarts such as Gaikwad and Dhoni, CSK continues to stack up highly experienced leadership at the top.
- At the same time, young Indian talents such as Ayush Mhatre, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Anshul Kamboj and Gurjapneet Singh get a genuine opportunity —hinting at a long-term rebuilding process.
- They have some overseas recruits in the likes of Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton and Nathan Ellis to add the firepower and depth as options in different conditions around the world.
Balanced but Flexible Team Composition
- The balanced outfit of batters, wicketkeepers, all-rounders, pacers and spinners. They can now adjust to pitch conditions, or go with the situation of a game.
- With cash still in the coffers (₹ 43.40 crores), CSK can aim for auction-day surprises – perhaps a death-overs expert, an effective spinner or an experienced finisher..
Transition Phase – But With Purpose
- Dealing in veterans and banking on young bucks, that CSK is bracing for a transition — but not the chaotic one. This appears a well-thought-out revamp aiming to ensure CSK stay competitive while ensuring future returns.
- It will be disappointing to see Jadeja’s star-speckled all-round act go, but there is hope that new faces may stretch out of comfort zones when responsibility comes in plenty.
Potential Strengths & Risks of the New CSK Squad
All things that make big changes also present opportunities and risks. Here’s what CSK has to gain — and how it could all go wrong.
Strengths
- Youthful enthusiasm + future prospects: Keeping Indian youngsters means that you have a base for the future.
- Flexibility with the overseas players & all-rounders: Combination of home-grown and international talent always leaves room for adaptation in any condition, spin-heavy or pace-friendly tracks being few.
- Budget for auction day manoeuvres: CSK still have a large purse and can still make smart buys to cover areas identified as problem spots.
- Bat versus ball: I think the eleven looks more balance. We now have both batting and bowling covered (pace + spin).
Risks / Challenges
- Loss of match-winners: Trading of Jadeja and the release experienced all-rounders diminishes immediate match-winning firepower.
- Young players under the pump: It’s always tough for fresh talent with high expectations – Especially if that young newcomer is not accustomed to playing on a big stage like the IPL.
- Requirement for smart auction picks: CSK needs to fill in the gaps (the bowling and spin department, mainly) well enough or this can turn out as an expensive mistake.
- Team solidfication & balance: With a lot of new blood and less long-time members, creating team chemistry will be key.
What CSK Need to Focus on Ahead of the Auction
As CSK goes into the 2026 auction with a purse of 43.40 crore left, here are some realistic areas and kinds of players they should look to sign:
- A good death-over specialist bowler — overseas or Indian — to bolster their bowling department.
- A spin-bowling all-rounder, or spinner for turning decks (now that Jadeja’s not there).
- A lower-middle order despite power-hitter / finisher to add balance to the middle-overs and flourish at the death.
- A back-up wicketkeeper-batsman (considering the two in Samson + Dhoni) for depth and as a cover against injuries.
- One or two Indian talents (batsmen and bowlers could be a combination) to keep the homegrown core intact, and also meet their player quota in an Indian-dominated team.
If they manage to shop wisely with the purse at their disposal, CSK could well turn out to be a team to beat — mixing youth with experience and good value money-wise overseas picks.
Conclusion
The “CSK retained & released Players List for IPL 2026” is a whole lot more than names — it’s the china which had toppled while now, with the list out its all about strategic first-aid. By keeping a balance of youth, experienced old legs and splashy overseas names while trading out some bigger ones, CSK appears to be playing long ball. They’re investing in youth, flattening the age curve and keeping their wallet dry.
This rebuild is not without gokduck — of experience, relying a lot on youngsters and requiring some deft at the auction — but the upside could be huge: a reinvigorated, well-balanced CSK equipped for the new era. 2026 may be the year for fans to dream again.
