IPL 2026: Full squad of CSK after mini-auction ft. MS Dhoni, Prashant Veer

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) shelled out ₹14.2 crore for uncapped Prashant Veer and ₹14.2 crore for Kartik Sharma in IPL 2026 auction

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction was held in Abu Dhabi on December 16. A total of 369 players were shortlisted for the auction, including 253 Indian players and 116 overseas players.

Overall, teams had 77 available slots to fill. Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) entered the mini-auction with a purse of 43.4 crore rupees. CSK were in the spotlight throughout the trade window after trading Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals (RR) and acquiring their captain, Sanju Samson.

With Ravichandran Ashwin also announcing his retirement from the league, CSK were in need of a quality spin bowler at the auction, along with a pacer to replace Matheesha Pathirana, whom they had released ahead of the auction.

In addition, the franchise was looking for a dependable middle-order batter and a few quality backup options to strengthen the squad.

CSK buys in the mini auction

CSK’s strategy at the start of the auction appeared to be heavily focused on young domestic talent. They secured uncapped batter Prashant Veer for ₹14.2 crore, making him the most expensive uncapped buy in IPL auction history.

Remarkably, within the next 10 minutes, CSK made another bold move by acquiring Kartik Sharma for the exact same amount, making him the joint most expensive uncapped player in IPL history. After these high-profile uncapped signings, CSK shifted their focus towards adding experience to the squad.

They brought in West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein, Australian all-rounder Matthew Short, New Zealand pacer Matt Henry, and Sarfaraz Khan to strengthen their middle order.

CSK also added another uncapped batter, Aman Khan, who has previously represented KKR and Delhi Capitals. To address their spin-bowling requirements, the franchise acquired leg-spinner Rahul Chahar before rounding off their auction by signing New Zealand medium pacer Zak Foulkes.

CSK full squad after the mini auction

Retained Players

Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Sanju Samson (traded from RR), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Shivam Dube, Urvil Patel (wk), Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Noor Ahmad, Shreyas Gopal, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton

Bought in the auction

• Prashant Veer – 14.2 crores
• Kartik Sharma – 14.2 crores
• Rahul Chahar – 5.2 crores
• Matt Henry – 2 crores
• Akeal Hosein – 2 crores
• Matthew Short – 1.5 crores
• Zak Foulkes – 75 lakh
• Sarfaraz Khan – 75 lakh
• Aman Khan – 40 lakh

Full squad of Chennai Super Kings for IPL 2026

Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, M.S. Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis,  Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes.

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