There are hardly few Indian Premier League teams forming around the loyalty, lineage, and indistinguishably emotional bond of Chennai Super Kings. With IPL 2026 on its way, CSK has finally released its retained players list and the residents and releases of the selected team this year are some of the bravest in franchise history. From sending Ravindra Jadeja to the Auction to parting ways with some big names as De Kock and Pollard, CSK has hit the reset button for a new chapter.
In this detailed breakdown, we take a look at the CSK Retentions & Released Players 2026 – discuss the reasons for decisions made and figure out how these retentions set up the path towards IPL 2026.
CSK Retained Players 2026
| Player Name | Role |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad (C) | Batter |
| Shivam Dube | All-Rounder |
| Noor Ahmad | Bowler |
| MS Dhoni | WK–Batter |
| Khaleel Ahmed | Bowler |
| Anshul Kamboj | Bowler |
| Dewald Brevis | Batter |
| Gurjapneet Singh | Bowler |
| Jamie Overton | All-Rounder |
| Nathan Ellis | Bowler |
| Ramakrishna Ghosh | Batter |
| Sanju Samson (T) | WK–Batter |
| Shreyas Gopal | Bowler (Spinner) |
| Syed Khaleel Ahmed | Bowler |
| Ayush Mhatre | Batter |
| Urvil Patel | WK–Batter |
Why These Players Were Retained?
Rahutraj Gaikwad Leads from Front Again
Confidence in Ruturaj is massive from CSK’s perspective. As their captain, he epitomizes the new blood filling up the franchise, yet stands as a representative of calmness and stability that CSK is known for.
MS Dhoni -One Magical Season Further
Even if he does not play all the games, Dhoni staying on mChennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Timeline, Head to Head in IPL,eans CSK still has its – cricketing brain, mentor and emotional heartbeat.
Young Stars Take Centre Stage
It is players like Noor Ahmad, Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, Ramakrishna Ghosh and Gurjapneet Singh who are in line with CSK’s future.
Promoting from the Pace & Spin Departments
With the addition of bowlers such as Khaleel Ahmed, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Ellis, Overton and Anshul Kamboj; CSK now has one of the most versatile bowling units in lead up to the auction.
Multiple WK Options
Dhoni, Samson and Urvil Patel provide CSK with options to mix and match combinations and manage workloads.
CSK Released Players 2026
Released Players 2026
- Ravindra Jadeja (Traded to Rajasthan Royals)
- Devon Conway
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Rachin Ravindra
- Sam Curran (Part of mega swap deal to RR)
- Rahul Tripathi
- Deepak Hooda
- Kamlesh Nagarkoti
- Shaik Rasheed
- Vansh Bedi
- Vijay Shankar
- Andre Siddarth
Why CSK Released These Players?
Strategic Transition On The Mega Auction Rules
Mega auctions represent an opportunity for teams to start from scratch. This was the point for CSK to revamp by evaluating overage players, inconsistent talents.
Moving Away from the Old Core
The axing of Jadeja, Pathirana and Conway is proof that CSK is moving away from some long cherished dependencies.
Purse Rebalancing
Curran, Conway and Pathirana were among the players who swallowed up a large slice of that purse. Letting them go means CSK can target some marquee names in the auction.
Need for New Roles
There were those whose style of play didn’t gel with CSK’s emerging strategy for 2026 — especially allrounders without fixed roles and domestic players who found it difficult to force their way into the XI.
Impact of Jadeja, Pathirana & Curran’s Exit
- Ravindra Jadeja – A franchise mainstay for over a decade, the trade of Jadeja marks an era at the end. His transfer to RR changes things for both teams by large.
- Matheesha Pathirana – Their death-bowling specialist for CSK, the Lions will have to go all out now for a bowler.
- Sam Curran – The multi-skilled match-winner’s release frees up big purse value but a hole in the all-rounder department will be felt.
What CSK Will Target in IPL 2026 Mini Auction
Taking into account the retention-and-release pattern, this is what CSK obviously need:
A Premium All-Rounder
Now that Jadeja and Curran are out, CSK need a new spin/all-rounder and pace hitting all-rounder.
A Death-Overs Specialist
Pathirana’s departure leaves an emptiness of a genuine death-bowling quickie.
A Solid Opener
With Devon Conway having been let go, CSK need to find a reliable opener for Ruturaj.
An Indian Middle-Order Batter
The exits of Hooda, Tripathi and Rasheed have left CSK requiring more Indian batting flexibility.
Backup Overseas Power-Hitters
Great for services Brevis then, but CSK need another experienced foreign batter.
Final Thoughts
CSK Retentions & Released Players 2026 list: A new beginning for the Men in Yellow. Fans may be sentimental about the departure of Jadeja, Pathirana, and Conway, but just take a look at retained squad it is quite obvious strategy:
A rapid, aggressive young CSK – powered by Dhoni’s wisdom and led in an unruffled manner by Ruturaj Gaikwad.
CSK will be one of the teams to watch out for in 2026 mega auction. With a large purse and brave strategy, anticipate them to rebuild wisely, and be the strong contender for IPL 2026.
