With IPL 2026 The holding window has officially closed, with groups headed to a high-stakes mini-auction scheduled for December. Among franchises facing major transitions Chennai Super Kings (CSK)who endured a difficult 2025 season and now look to reshuffle their squad ahead of the new campaign.
IPL 2026: BIDDERS KNOW, Auction setup begins for CSK
CSK have retained 16 players for the IPL 2026 retention period, including stalwarts like Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dubeyand rising talent Ayush Mhatre. While these key names remain central to the franchise’s plans, management has taken bold decisions by dropping 10 players as star performers. Rachin Ravindra and Devon Consway.
In one of the biggest trade moves of the transfer window, he parted ways with CSK Ravindra jadeja and Sam CurranIn return, he sends Duo to Rajasthan Royals Sanju Samson. The trade opened up new avenues for squad balance, but also created critical voids in the lower middle order and all-round department areas at CSK, which will be bolstered in the December Auction.
Irfan Pathan picks ms dhoni’s batting position for next season
Debate surrounds the revamped merger of CSK, the former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan pulled in Ms dhoniBatting position for the upcoming season still holds a vital role, insisting on a fifth IPL champion, but in the right place in the order. Dhoni’s own struggles in the previous season, complete with scoring sporadically and a strike rate of 14.17, made the team particularly bottom of the table a talking point.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Patan emphasized that Dhoni’s No. 7 for CSK in IPL 2026, the veteran WicketeeKeeper-cadaver, has not allowed the order to slip further.
“They will need a batter at No. 6. I would like to see Dhoni bat at No. 7. Pathan said.
Pathan added that CSK should field a finisher at No.6. Andre Russell– No. 8 should be filled with bowling that can support both departments. According to him, the right combination will not only ease the pressure on Dhoni but also provide the franchise with the depth and explosion required in modern T20 cricket.
“With Dhoni at 7, you need a man who can finish well at nothing and with the bat. Pathan added.
Pathan shares CSK’s potential XI for IPL 2026
Due to franchise agreement, release and pending vacancies, Pathan also suggested that the CSK 2026 opening XI will open up several positions and his proposed squad structure will be a mix of retained stars and strategic additions.
Potential CSK XI for Irfan Pathan’s next spin season: Sanju Samson, Ayh Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube,?, Ms. Dhoni, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Anshul Kamboj / Mukesh Choudhary (Under the Influence)
The uncertain slots at No. 6 and No. 8 are expected to be resolved once these positions are fixed once the most important for CSK after the auction.
Read: IPL 2026 Photos – Devon Conway reacts after being dropped from the CSK squad
