IPL 2026 auction On December 16 in Abu Dhabi, teams made blockbuster bids, spending ₹215.45 crore on 77 players, including 29 overseas stars. Chennai Super Kings To secure 25 players, he came out aggressively, draining the purse of around ₹ 125 crore, leaving only ₹ 2.40 crore. Uncovered feelings Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma They broke records as the joint highest fee of ₹ 14.20 crore each, while the captain was replaced. Sanju Samson Ordered ₹ 18 crore
A season of high hopes for Chennai Super Kings after banking on the young guns
Chennai Super Kings enter IPL 2026 with renewed vigor after a dismal peak in 2025, turning into a youth-fueled firepower under new influences like Samson. Detained Captain Travel to Giikwa Paired with Samson at ₹ 18 crore each, they form a dynamic opening duo that combines experience and aggression—Samson’s explosive form in 2025 (over 500 runs at a 180+ strike rate) justifies the trade. Rajasthan Royals. Splashing ₹ 28.40 crore on Veer and Karthik with base prices of just ₹ 30 lakh, CSK targeted raw talent, signaling the franchise’s faith in unproven gems. MS DhoniRetaining ₹ 4 crore as mentor-wicketkeeper.
Uttar Pradesh all-rounder Veer impressed with 20 wickets and 300 runs in recent Ranji games, winning CSK’s mega bid for his seam bowling variety and lower-order batting. Karthik reflects this as a wicket-keeper-batsman with sharp glove work and average batting pace. Madhya Pradesh household schemes. Shivam Dubey anchors the finishers, Nur Ahmed mixing with veterans such as boosts the spin attack Khaleel Ahmed for control over death.
They like it from abroad Devald Brewis, Nathan Ellisand Akeal Hosein add global depth with eight strategically filled outer slots. Anshul Cambodia and Gurjapneet Singh It buys as a budget, while providing internal speed options Rahul Chahar and Mukesh Choudhary ensure rotational speed balance. This squad depth is harnessing the youthful energy on stroke-friendly pitches to propel CSK to the playoffs.
Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Complete list of unsold players with base price
CSK players salaries in IPL 2026
CSK’s auction strategy has favored high-end spending on elite batsmen and all-rounders, with Samson Gaikwad topping ₹ 18 crore. Veer’s ₹ 14.20 crore deal underlines CSK’s youthful gamble, ahead of its rivals for its all-phase utility programme. Full breakdown below:
| S.No. | Player | Selling Price (₹) |
| 1 | Sanju Samson | 18 million |
| 2 | Travel to Giikwa | 18 million |
| 3 | Karthik Sharma | 14 exceeds 20 lakhs |
| 4 | Prashant Veer | 14 exceeds 20 lakhs |
| 5 | Shivam Dubey | 12 million |
| 6 | Nur Ahmed | 10 million |
| 7 | Rahul Chahar | 5 cry 20 lakhs |
| 8 | Khaleel Ahmed | 480 lakes |
| 9 | MS Dhoni | 4 million |
| 10 | Anshul Cambodia | 3 cry 40 lakhs |
| 11 | Gurjapneet Singh | 2 cry 20 million |
| 12 | Devald Brewis | 2 cry 20 million |
| 13 | Nathan Ellis | 2 crores |
| 14 | Akeal Hosein | 2 crores |
| 15 | Matt Henry | 2 crores |
| 16 | Matthew Short | 1 cry 50 lakes |
| 17 | Jamie Overton | 1 cry 50 lakes |
| 18 | Sarfaraz Khan | 75 thousand |
| 19 | Zach Foulkes | 75 thousand |
| 20 | Aman Khan | 40 thousand |
| 21 | Shreyas Gopal | 30 thousand |
| 22 | Ayush Mhatre | 30 thousand |
| 23 | Ramakrishna Ghosh | 30 thousand |
| 24 | Urvil Patel | 30 thousand |
| 25 | Mukesh Choudhary | 30 thousand |
Also READ: IPL 2026 Auction: Complete list of sold players with prices
