When it is the Indian Premier League; you can’t ignore one team which got the huge fan rage, i.e. Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Always known for their solidity and long-term vision, not to mention cool-headed leadership, CSK have always attracted attention during the auction window. The IPL 2026 retention and release list have added a fresh twist to the road ahead for the franchise, and has seen some big surprises, emerged with smart trades as well as witnessed out some heart-breaking goodbyes.
In this writeup, we’re going to simplify the entire CSK’s Retained & Released Players List for IPL 2026, ponder over the team strategy and delve into what these moves imply for next season.
Quick Overview: CSK IPL 2026 Retention & Release Recap
Before we take a deep dive, let’s have a look at the CSK squad moves for IPL 2026:
- MS Dhoni remains in there, doing what MS Dhoni does.
- Sanju Samson With a massive trade SSC have acquired Sanju Samson.
- Several youngsters and all-rounders were retained.
- Big names such as Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran and Devon Conway part company with the franchise.
- CSK bracing for robust change with a blend of youngsters, experience and fresh ideas.
Section I – The First Five In this segment, we will take a closer look at each of the first five.
IPL 2026 Retained Players List for CSK
The Csk have announced the list of their players going to be retained and here is the official retained player’s list which are retained by the chennai in Ipl 2026. And these are the players whom the 2026 campaign will be based on.
CSK Retained Squad 2026
| Player Name | Role | Status Update |
| MS Dhoni | WK-Batter | Retained |
| Sanju Samson | WK-Batter | Officially Joined – Trade Completed |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Batter | Retained |
| Ayush Mhatre | Batter | Retained |
| Dewald Brevis | Batter | Retained |
| Urvil Patel | WK-Batter | Retained |
| Shivam Dube | All-Rounder | Retained |
| Jamie Overton | All-Rounder | Retained |
| Ramakrishna Ghosh | All-Rounder | Retained |
| Noor Ahmad | Bowler | Retained |
| Khaleel Ahmed | Bowler | Retained |
| Anshul Kamboj | All-Rounder | Retained |
| Gurjapneet Singh | All-Rounder | Retained |
| Nathan Ellis | Bowler | Retained |
| Shreyas Gopal | Bowler | Retained |
| Mukesh Choudhary | Bowler | Retained |
Deep Dive Into CSK’s Retention Strategy for IPL 2026
The retention list of CSK very well explains a transition approach, nurturing the young talent and multi-skilled players. Here’s what stands out:
MS Dhoni Goes On And The CSK Heart Still Beats
The fact that MS Dhoni is the ‘Mr. IPL’ and the flag-bearer of CSK, and could still easily balance his team’s book with its existing core, despite talk of this being a ‘retirement season’, is known to those who know everything there about them is to know. With even a few games he would make the team better through his tactical smarts, tutoring and fan voodoo that should leave no brainer his continued presence in Black and Gold (away trips to complete, all the same).
CSK Trade Watch: Hamza to RCB for Samson?
Perhaps the most exciting news before IPL 2026 is about Sanju Samson now finally being a part of CSK. The swap of Ravindra Jadeja for Samson is a bold move and indicates a new brand of cricket that the franchise wants to play. Samson adds:
- A dynamic top-order batting option
- Strong wicket-keeping skills
- Leadership potential for the future
This trade indicates CSK’s strategy for post-Dhoni times.
Retaining the Future Stars
Players like:
- Ayush Mhatre
- Dewald Brevis
- Urvil Patel
- Ramakrishna Ghosh
prove CSK is firmly behind their young investment. Brevis, whose nickname is Baby AB, remains an integral part of the CSK middle-order plans.
All-Rounder Depth Remains a Priority
Unlike in the past seasons where CSK have banked on the likes of Jadeja and Bravo type all-rounders, layer cake is what they will hope to cook up in 2026. Dube and Overton – Kamboj and Gurjapneet is an absolute game changer for csk.
Bowling Unit Stabilized
CSK ensure this with the likes of bowlers like Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Choudhary:
- Left-arm variety
- Wrist-spin support
- Death overs reliability
- IPL-friendly pace attack
This core provides it with a strong base to work from for IPL 2026.
CSK Released Players List for IPL 2026
CSK Released Players 2026
| Player Name | Exit Type | Reason |
| Ravindra Jadeja | Traded to RR | Part of Samson swap |
| Sam Curran | Traded to RR | Trade completed |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Released | Not retained |
| Devon Conway | Released | Long-term strategy |
| Rachin Ravindra | Released | Team restructuring |
| Vijay Shankar | Released | Performance reasons |
| Deepak Hooda | Released | Not in plans |
| Rahul Tripathi | Released | Low impact |
| Kamlesh Nagarkoti | Released | Cleared after review |
| Andre Siddarth | Released | Released in final list |
| Shaik Rasheed | Released | Removed from final retained list |
| Vansh Bedi | Released | Youngster released |
Why CSK Released These Players: Detailed Explanation
It’s not often you let players go, particularly for a side like CSK which prizes continuity. But some exits were strategic, and others were about future performance.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Departure: The End of a Golden Era
If it indeed goes through, Jadeja’s move to Rajasthan Royals is unprecedented. After being the all-round rock of CSK for years, the team has opted transition over sentiment. The deal helped CSK get hold of Sanju Samson – and subsequently perhaps to shape the next decade or so for the franchise.
Sam Curran Traded Out
Sam Curran has been the huge one for previous seasons, but we’ve got an open squad and a salary cap to manage for next season.’ CSK decided to pick the purse and concentrate on Indian all-rounders.
Matheesha Pathirana Released
Pathirana, who was once known as “Junior Malinga”, is set to be dropped because of:
- Recurring injuries
- Over-reliance concerns
- Long-term bowling strategy shifts
Devon Conway & Rachin Ravindra Released
This New Zealand duo were crowd favorites but CSK seem to be moving towards a younger top-order and less reliance on overseas talent.
Performance-Based Exits
Vijay Shankar, Hooda, Tripathi and Nagarkoti faced the axe for:
- Inconsistency
- Team combination mismatches
- Limited impact in key matches
Youngsters Cleared
Players such as Siddarth, Rasheed and Vansh Bedi were released to make room for new picks in the mega auction.
What These Transfers Imply for CSK in IPL 2026
The squad of CSK for IPL 2026 is that transitional chapter a mix between the Dhoni era and the times to come. Here’s what the roster as it stands now indicates:
Brand New Leadership Group In Works Under Samson & Gaikwad
Since Dhoni is somewhere near the finish line of his playing career, Samson and Gaikwad make for a strong leadership core that can lead CSK over next several years.
Young but Balanced line-up.
The retained squad includes:
- Strong Indian core
- Promising under-25 talent
- A well-rounded bowling lineup
- Multiple wicket-keeping options
Focus on Modern T20 Cricket
The squad shows emphasis on:
- Power-hitting
- All-round depth
- Versatile pace attack
- Multi-role players
CSK Bracing Up for a life After Dhoni Era
The 2026 season is likely to shape the future look of CSK after Dhoni’s time. At the center: Keeping Samson and Gaikwad is a huge start.
Final Thoughts
The bold new era at CSK shines through the CSK Retained & Released Players List IPL 2026. While certain fans will of course point to household names like Jadeja, Conway and Curran as absentees, the emergence of Sanju Samson and faith versus promising talent suggest an exciting shakeup in the offing.
CSK’s 2026 squad is built on:
- Continuity with MS Dhoni
- Going Forward under Samson & Gaikwad
- Dynamic all-rounders
- A revamped bowling attack
- Long-term strategy over short-term fixes
With the auction drawing near and the NEW season closer, CSK appears more dangerous, younger and forward-thinking than ever.
