5 Players CSK Must Release Before IPL 2026

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) went through a very poor season in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. They are currently at the bottom of the points table with just three victories in 12 group-stage encounters at a net run-rate of -0.992.

The five-time champions made a very poor start in the edition. They opened their account with a four-wicket home victory over the Mumbai Indians before facing five successive defeats to struggle in the middle phase of the season.

Later, they gained just two wins in the next six encounters. Ruturaj Gaikwad, their stand-in captain, got injured and was ruled out of the season. This pushed MS Dhoni to get reappointed as the leader of the franchise.

Dhoni highlighted how they would start preparation for the 2026 season quite early, which would provide them a good chance of drawing the picture and prepare for the upcoming auction.

Here are the five players that CSK could release before the IPL 2026

1. Ravichandran Ashwin

When Chennai bought the veteran off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, for the 2025 season of the tournament for a price of INR 9.75 crore, they aimed to get a few overs in the powerplay from him. They also planned a few overs in the middle phase of the innings from the Tamil Nadu spinner,

Also Read: Top 10 Bowlers With Most Wickets In IPL

Ashwin has collected five wickets in eight games this year at an average of 48.40 and an economy rate of below nine. There have been times when he failed to restrict the runs with the ball in a crucial phase. CSK could think of bringing back Ashwin for a lower price if they want him in the mini auction.

2. Rahul Tripathi

Earning Rahul Tripathi was a huge advantage for the CSK side, as the batter could play the spinners well on a slow surface. But nothing worked as planned for the franchise. Tripathi was part of the Dhoni and Stephen Fleming association during his old days with the Rising Pune Supergiants.

In this IPL 2025, the 34-year-old accumulated just 55 runs in five innings at an average of 11 and a strike rate of below 100, with the best score of 23. He got chances in the opening position and also at number three, but nothing worked for the veteran.

Leaving Tripathi before the 2026 season will add INR 3.40 crore to their purse.

3. Deepak Hooda

Deepak Hooda is another spin all-rounder who came to CSK with a lot of promise, but couldn’t stand on his performances. He got many chances to either bail the side out of trouble or play an impactful innings with the bat in crunch situations.

Hooda punched just 31 runs in five innings at an average of 6.20 in the IPL 2025 at a strike rate of 75.60. Leaving the all-rounder will also add INR 1.70 crore to the bag for the Yellow franchise.

4. Jamie Overton

CSK didn’t use Jamie Overton, the batting all-rounder, in the best way during this season. For other franchises, the England player would bat in the top order and bowl with the old ball in the middle phase of the innings.

Also Read: Virat Kohli Approached By This Team To Play Cricket In England After His Test Retirement

However, he is going through the exact opposite role for the Whistle Podu, which has put a question mark on his performances. Chennai perhaps could look for an explosive batter in the lower order during the new season.

5. Devon Conway

Both Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra are nearly mirror images. CSK can’t fix both in the playing eleven together, which makes it even more difficult. Ravindra has clubbed 191 runs in eight innings of the season at a strike rate of 128.18 with one fifty.

If Ayush Mhatre and Ruturaj could open the innings, then Ravindra, who is younger than Conway, can walk at number three. That puts pressure on the veteran’s batting position, who accumulated 94 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 123.78, at the best score of 69 runs.