Chennai Super Kings is one of the most loved teams in IPL history, with five titles and a massive fan base. However, IPL 2025 was a difficult campaign, with CSK finishing last in the points table after struggling for consistency.
With the IPL 2026 retentions now officially announced, CSK have confirmed 16 players, including 4 overseas, spending ₹81.60 crore and heading into the auction with ₹43.40 crore remaining. The franchise has backed a balanced mix of experience and young talent as they prepare for a crucial rebuilding phase ahead of the December mini-auction.
CSK Retained Players For IPL 2026
Here are the retained players for CSK ahead of the 2026 auction.
| 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 |
CSK Released Players: Ravindra Jadeja (trade to RR), Sam Curran (ENG – trade to RR), Rahul Tripathi, Vansh Bedi, Andre Siddarth, Rachin Ravindra (NZ), Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Shaik Rasheed, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Matheesha Pathirana (SL), Devon Conway (NZ), Ravichandran Ashwin (retired)
Below is a quick breakdown of what each retained player brings to the table.
1. MS Dhoni (Wicketkeeper)
MS Dhoni is CSK’s heart and soul. He is the greatest captain in IPL history and has led CSK to 5 IPL trophies. Even at his age, Dhoni still plays for CSK and guides the team. Last season, he captained the side after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out.
Dhoni may not play every match now, but his presence in the team is priceless. He trains young players, helps them handle pressure, and makes smart decisions. CSK cannot imagine a team without Dhoni.
Why keep him? Greatest CSK legend ever. His experience and leadership are invaluable for young players.
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad (Captain)
Ruturaj Gaikwad was appointed the captain of CSK in 2024. He became the fourth captain of the side after Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Ravindra Jadeja. Gaikwad has led CSK in 19 matches so far, and the team has won eight of these games.
In his debut season as the captain, Gaikwad made 583 runs at a strike rate of 141.16. He hit one century and four half-centuries. CSK finished in fifth position in 2024. In 2025, Gaikwad sustained an elbow injury and was ruled out after playing five games. CSK will likely continue with Gaikwad as the captain of the side.
Why keep him? Finished as the leading run-scorer in three of the last five seasons for CSK. Long-term captaincy option.
3. Shivam Dube (All-Rounder)
Shivam Dube is a powerful hitter who bats left-handed. He can hit huge sixes and bowl some overs too. Dube is an Indian all-rounder, which makes him very valuable for team balance.
Dube has shown his talent in IPL and even played for Team India. CSK needs big hitters in the middle order, and Dube gives them that power.
Why keep him? Strong Indian all-rounder who hits big sixes. Can bowl too.
4. Khaleel Ahmed (Bowler)
Khaleel Ahmed is an experienced Indian left-arm fast bowler. He can swing the new ball and bowl well in the powerplay. Having an Indian fast bowler is very important for team balance.
Khaleel has played for Team India and knows how to take wickets. He gives CSK a good bowling option and doesn’t take a foreign player spot.
Why keep him? Experienced Indian fast bowler. Can swing the ball and take early wickets.
5. Noor Ahmad (Bowler)
Noor Ahmad is a left-arm spin bowler from Afghanistan. He is very young but bowls smartly. Left-arm spinners are rare and very valuable in T20 cricket.
Noor can bowl in the middle overs and control the run rate. He also takes important wickets. CSK needs good spinners, and Noor gives them that option.
Why keep him? Young left-arm spinner with great skill. Can bowl in any situation.
6. Anshul Kamboj (Bowler)
Anshul Kamboj is a promising Indian fast bowler. He is young and has shown good pace and skill. CSK believes he can become a key bowler in the future.
Having young Indian bowlers is important for CSK’s future. Kamboj gives them depth in fast bowling without taking a foreign spot.
Why keep him? Young Indian fast bowler with potential. Future star in the making.
7. Dewald Brevis (Batter)
Dewald Brevis is an exciting young batter from South Africa. He is known as “Baby AB” because he bats like AB de Villiers. Brevis can hit the ball to all parts of the ground.
Brevis is still very young and learning. But his talent is clear for everyone to see. CSK wants to develop him into a superstar batter.
Why keep him? Exciting young talent who can hit huge sixes. Future superstar material.
8. Ayush Mhatre (Batter)
Ayush Mhatre is a young Indian opening batter. He got his chance in IPL 2025 and impressed everyone. Mhatre can score quickly and plays with confidence.
Young Indian batters are very valuable in IPL. Mhatre costs less money and doesn’t take a foreign spot. He can open for CSK for many years.
Why keep him? Talented young opener. Showed great promise in IPL 2025.
9. Urvil Patel (Wicketkeeper-Batter)
Urvil Patel is an aggressive wicket-keeper batter from Gujarat. He can open the batting and keep wickets too. Patel impressed when he got chances in IPL 2025.
Having a backup wicket-keeper is important for every team. Patel gives CSK that option and can also bat powerfully at the top.
Why keep him? Backup wicket-keeper who can open. Aggressive batter with good skills.
10. Ramakrishna Ghosh (All-rounder)
Ramakrishna Ghosh is a bowling all-rounder from Maharashtra. He bats right-handed and bowls medium-fast pace. Born in Nashik in 1997, Ghosh is 28 years old and brings experience to the squad.
Ghosh can bat and bowl both, making him a useful player. His medium-pace bowling gives CSK another option. All-rounders who can do multiple jobs are always valuable.
Why keep him? Experienced Indian all-rounder. Can bat and bowl medium pace.
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Conclusion: CSK Is Set for a Rebuild Ahead of IPL 2026
With 16 players retained, including 4 key overseas options, CSK enter IPL 2026 with a clear foundation. The presence of senior leaders like MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad provides direction, while the retention of young talents such as Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, Noor Ahmad, and Anshul Kamboj shows the franchise’s commitment to long-term development.
A sizeable purse of ₹43.40 crore gives CSK flexibility to address major gaps at the auction, especially in the pace department and middle-order depth. The franchise appears focused on building a balanced squad capable of producing a strong comeback.
If their core group performs to potential and the auction strategy aligns with their needs, CSK can realistically aim to return as contenders in IPL 2026 and give the Yellow Army renewed hope for another championship push.
FAQs
CSK wants a strong core of reliable players. These 16 players either performed well in 2025 or have huge potential for the future. Keeping 16 players gives CSK a good base while still having money to buy new talent at the auction. They can fill the gaps and build a complete team.
Most likely yes. MS Dhoni is CSK’s greatest legend, and the fans love him. He may not play every match, but he will be in the squad. His role is now more as a mentor and guide for young players. As long as Dhoni is fit and wants to play, CSK will keep him.
Ruturaj Gaikwad will most probably continue as captain. The management still trusts him even after the poor 2025 season. Ruturaj is a good leader and an excellent batter. With better players around him and MS Dhoni’s guidance, he can lead CSK to success in 2026.
Young players are the future of any IPL team. Indian youngsters like Ayush Mhatre don’t take foreign player spots and cost less money. They can play for CSK for 10-15 years. Players like Dewald Brevis have superstar potential. Investing in youth now will help CSK win trophies for many years.
CSK has a decent balance. They have experienced players like Dhoni and Jadeja. They have proven performers like Pathirana and Ravindra. They have exciting young talent in batting and bowling. But CSK still needs to buy more quality players at the auction. They need another top foreign batter and more Indian fast bowlers to complete the squad.
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