IPL 2026 Auction: 8 Players Released, Rs 29.2 Crore Purse! How CSK can prepare for Mini Auction

oi-Sauradeep Ash

Chennai
Super
Kings
are
set
for
a
major
shuffle
ahead
of
the
IPL
2026
mini
auction
after
a
dismal
2025
campaign.
The
franchise
is
expected
to
part
ways
with
several
underperformers
to
free
up
funds
and
rebuild
for
next
season.

Ravichandran
Ashwin’s
retirement
will
clear
Rs
9.75
crore
from
the
wage
bill,
while
the
management
is
also
planning
to
offload
multiple
players
who
failed
to
deliver.

Devon
Conway,
Rahul
Tripathi,
Sam
Curran,
and
Deepak
Hooda
headline
the
potential
release
list
after
inconsistent
performances
throughout
IPL
2025.

Conway
endured
an
inconsistent
IPL
2025,
scoring
just
156
runs
in
six
matches
despite
two
fifties,
failing
to
stabilize
CSK’s
top
order.
Deepak
Hooda
had
an
even
tougher
season,
managing
only
31
runs
in
seven
games
and
struggling
with
both
form
and
fitness.
Sam
Curran’s
all-round
returns
disappointed,
with
just
one
wicket
and
most
of
his
114
runs
coming
in
a
single
innings,
making
all
three
prime
candidates
for
release.

Among
others
likely
to
be
released
are
Vijay
Shankar,
Jamie
Overton,
Kamlesh
Nagarkoti,
Mukesh
Choudhary,
Nathan
Ellis,
and
Shreyas
Gopal.
With
these
exits
combined
with
Ashwin’s
departure,
CSK
are
expected
to
enter
the
IPL
2026
mini
auction,
setting
the
stage
for
a
significant
squad
overhaul.

After
a
series
of
poor
performances
over
the
last
two
years,
the
five-time
IPL
champions
will
be
aiming
for
a
revival
in
the
upcoming
season
of
the
competition.

CSK
Potential
Release
List:
8
Big
Money
Players,
Rs
29.2
Crore
in
Purse

CSK
can
release
as
many
as
eight
big-money
signings
ahead
of
the
IPL
2026
auction,
which
will
free
up
more
than
Rs
29
crore
in
the
IPL
2026
mini
auction
for
them.

Ravichandran
Ashwin
–
Rs
9.75
crore
(Retired)

Devon
Conway
–
Rs
6.25
crore

Rahul
Tripathi
–
Rs
3.40
crore

Sam
Curran
–
Rs
2.40
crore

Gurjapneet
Singh
–
Rs
2.20
crore

Nathan
Ellis
–
Rs
2
crore

Deepak
Hooda
–
Rs
1.70
crore

Jamie
Overton
–
Rs
1.50
crore

CSK
Mid-Season
Signings
likely
to
be
Retained

Chennai
Super
Kings
roped
in
a
few
players
in
the
IPL
2025
mid-season
as
replacements.
Dewald
Brevis,
Urvil
Patel
and
Ayush
Mhatre
were
roped
in,
who
did
significantly
shine
for
them.
Brevis
and
Mhatre
are
likely
to
be
retained
for
the
upcoming
season.
Although
MyKhel
tried
to
contact
CSK
in
that
matter,
the
franchise
remained
tightlipped
on
the
proceedings.