As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 retention window dates are near, all eyes will be on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and who they will keep ahead of the next season. The retention process, expected to be completed before the December mini-auction, will decide how the five-time champions rebuild after a below-par 2025 campaign.
8. Dewald Brevis
If CSK chooses to invest in young overseas talent, Dewald Brevis could be in their retention list among their top retention picks. The South African youngster has shown flashes of excellence and he matches CSK’s approach of building for the future. Under Dhoni’s guidance, he has the potential to become a strong middle-order batter who can change games.
7. Urvil Patel & Ayush Mhatre
CSK might also keep two promising Indian batters, Urvil Patel and Ayush Mhatre. Both youngsters have performed well in the few chances they got during the IPL 2025. With the franchise known for grooming future stars, retaining these two will give CSK a chance to build a domestic core for years to come.
6. Noor Ahmad/Nathan Ellis (One Overseas bowlers)
CSK are most likely to retain one of the overseas bowlers who will complement their attack. Noor Ahmad, with his sharp left-arm spin, is effective on Chennai’s slow tracks and offers wicket-taking ability in the middle overs. Nathan Ellis, on the other hand, brings variety with his death-over skills and smart pace changes. The final choice will depend on the team’s auction plan and needs.
5. Matheesha Pathirana
The Sri Lankan pacer has quickly become a crowd favourite at Chepauk. He is known for his slingy action and pinpoint yorkers. Matheesha Pathirana has acknowledged himself as CSK’s key weapon in the death overs. Though injuries interrupted his 2025 IPL campaign, his raw pace and immense potential make him a valuable long-term asset.
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4. Shivam Dube
Ever since joining CSK, Shivam Dube has revived himself as a power-hitter. He has been a consistent performer in the middle order, mainly against spin as he is good at taking on spinners. Dube provides stability to the lineup with his medium-pace bowling as a secondary option. His impressive strike rate in the 2024 seasons makes him one of CSK’s most reliable Indian batters, and the management is likely to keep him for future.
3. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja has been with CSK since 2012 and continues to be their backbone. As an all-rounder who can win matches with both bat and ball, Jadeja’s role in the team remains vital. His fielding standards and finishing ability make him a complete package. CSK are
expected to retain him as one of their senior domestic stars, especially given his leadership experience when Dhoni was unavailable.
2. MS Dhoni
The biggest question before every season is whether MS Dhoni will continue playing, will we see him playing next year. Despite he has stepped down as captain, his presence and leadership in the dressing room remain unmatched. If he decides to play in 2026, CSK will undeniably retain him. And even if he moves into a mentor’s role, keeping him in the setup helps maintain the team’s spirit and connection with fans.
1. Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad remains one of CSK’s top priorities for retention. The right-handed opener, who also captained the side in 2024, has been one of their most consistent performers in recent years. Known for calm temperament, reliable batting in powerplays, and leadership qualities that makes him an ideal long-term asset for the team.
Possible Retention Strategy
CSK are expected to retain around 7-8 players, including two overseas stars and five to six Indian names. The goal is to maintain their core while freeing up enough purse space for new signings at the mini-auction. Their retention will likely reflect:
- Experience (Dhoni, Jadeja)
- Leadership (Gaikwad)
- Young Indian core (Dube, Mhatre, Urvil)
- Future overseas strength (Pathirana, Brevis/Noor)
The IPL 2026 retention will be a crucial phase for Chennai Super Kings as they will be stepping into a whole new chapter. Regardless of whether Dhoni continues or not, the team’s core will still rely on balance, loyalty, and strong team chemistry.
Written by Kinjal Walantra