CSK Retains Dhoni and Gaikwad, Shakes Up Roster for IPL 2026

As of November 15, 2025, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have finalized their list of retained players ahead of the upcoming IPL 2026 auction. The franchise has decided to retain their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and the legendary wicket-keeper batter MS Dhoni, ensuring continuity in their leadership.

Alongside Gaikwad and Dhoni, CSK has also retained several other key players, including young South African sensation Dewald Brevis, Afghan spinner Noor Ahmad, and all-rounder Shivam Dube. These retentions suggest that the team is looking to build a strong core for the future.

However, the Chennai franchise has also made some notable releases, with Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana being among the prominent names let go. Other players released by CSK include Rahul Tripathi, Rachin Ravindra, Vijay Shankar, Deepak Hooda, and Shaik Rasheed. These moves indicate that CSK is aiming to reshape their roster ahead of the IPL 2026 season.

Furthermore, in a significant trade, CSK has parted ways with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, who have been traded to Rajasthan Royals (RR) in exchange for captain Sanju Samson.

With these retention and release decisions, CSK now has a purse of ₹43.4 crore remaining for the IPL 2026 mini-auction, with nine slots left to be filled. The team's management will be closely monitoring the auction to further strengthen their squad and mount a strong challenge in the upcoming season.