Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday unveiled their list of retained and released players for the IPL 2026 season, confirming key squad decisions ahead of next month’s auction.
OUR LIONS WHO WILL CARRY THE PRIDE.🦁
THE DEN AWAITS. 🏟️#WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/MarbLqhQUu— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 15, 2025
CSK have retained a solid core featuring captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, veteran MS Dhoni, Shivam Dube, Khaleel Ahmed, Dewald Brevis, Nathan Ellis and leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal.
LEAD THE WAY, CAPTAIN RUTURAJ GAIKWAD!💪🦁#WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/EawvX5k2yI
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 15, 2025
Promising talents such as Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton, Mukesh Choudhary, Noor Ahmad, and Ramakrishna Ghosh have also been included, signalling the franchise’s intention to blend experience with emerging players.
2026, Here we come!🦁
#WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/4GNLNTuMCd— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 15, 2025
Major departures
CSK have released Matheesha Pathirana, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Vijay Shankar, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Andre Siddarth, Shaik Rasheed, and Vansh Bedi. The reshuffle marks a significant restructuring ahead of the mega season.
One of the biggest moves of the trading window saw Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson being traded to CSK in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Samson, who has played 177 IPL matches, will now represent his third franchise and is expected to play a central role in CSK’s batting order.
With the squad taking shape and a strong mix of youth and experience retained, CSK will look to reinforce strategically during the IPL 2026 auction as they prepare for a fresh campaign.