IPL 2026 CSK Retained and Released Players List: Chennai Super Kings made a record-breaking trade deal by snapping up Rajasthan Royals superstar Sanju Samson for Rs 18 crore, the franchise’s biggest-ever trade deal.
More notably, CSK had to let go of their legendary all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as the franchise proposed the time for transition as a key reason behind the move. CSK have also confirmed to trade Sam Curran as part of the deal with Rajasthan Royals as their plans for a time after MS Dhoni are finally in motion.
Chennai Super Kings Managing Director, KS Viswanathan, said: “A transition in a team’s journey is never easy. Trading out a player like Ravindra Jadeja, who has been an integral part of the franchise for more than a decade, and Sam Curran was one of the toughest decisions we have taken in the team’s history.
“The decision was taken with mutual understanding with both Jadeja and Curran. We are deeply grateful for Jadeja’s extraordinary contributions and the legacy he leaves behind. We wish both Jadeja and Curran the best for the future. We also welcome Sanju Samson, whose skill-set and achievements complement our
ambitions. This decision has been made with great thought, respect, and a long-term vision,” he added.
Last year, ahead of the fresh mega auction cycle, CSK retained five players with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja costing them Rs 18 crore each. They have retained Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 13 crore and Shivam Dube for a Rs 12 crore price tag. Taking advantage of the modified introduced uncapped player retention rule, Dhoni was retained by the franchise for Rs 4 crore.
With the forthcoming auction only being a mini-auction process next month, teams can retain around as many players as they wish to. Despite the flexible rules, all teams can only have 25 players, with a maximum purse limit of Rs 120 crores.
CSK Player Trades ahead of IPL 2026 Auction
Sanju Samson (Rs 18 crore)
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List of players retained by Chennai Super Kings before IPL 2026 Auction:
To be announced
List of players released by Chennai Super Kings before IPL 2026 Auction
Ravindra Jadeja (trade), Sam Curran (trade)