CSK’s remaining purse for the IPL 2025 mini auction will be one of the most discussed topics in the coming months, as the team has released 10 players and traded two of them ahead of the December auction.
This comes after a disastrous season they endured last year. In their 16-season history, it was the first time Chennai had finished at the bottom of the table, earning a wooden spoon.
Hence, as the tournament champions, they had to do something. And that something resulted in a major overhaul, heading into a mini auction.
Yes, you read that right, the five-time champions released a plethora of players before a mini auction. And now everyone is buzzing about the CSK purse amount ahead of the mini auction on December 15.
With that being said, let’s take a look at the amount of the team freed up after releasing 10 players.
What is CSK’s remaining purse for the IPL auction?
As things stand, Chennai Super Kings have 43.4 crores in their purse. And one can say that they have come a long way from their initial purse at the end of the 2025 Mega Auction.
The CSK purse got a major boost with Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from IPL. They had bought him for 9.75 crores, a huge sum.
This took their amount to 9.8 crores. Following this, they have released some big names at high prices to free up crucial cash. Let’s take a look at CSK releases.
Players CSK release to boost purse amount
After careful evaluation and perhaps extensive deliberation, the Chennai Super Kings decided to let go of several players. There were some obvious names everyone knew were going out, as well as some big names.
- Deepak Hooda – ₹1.70 Cr
- Rahul Tripathi – ₹3.40 Cr
- Vijay Shankar – ₹1.20 Cr
- Devon Conway – ₹6.25 Cr
- Vansh Bedi – 0. 55 Cr
- Rachin Ravindra 4.00 Cr
- Kamlesh Nagarkoti – 0.30 Cr
- Shaik Rasheed – 0.30 Cr
- Andre Siddarth – 0.30 Cr
- Matheesha Pathirana – 13.00 Cr
But by releasing these 10 players, the former champions got a major purse boost. And now their final purse amount stands at 43.3 crores ahead of the mini auction in December.
Areas Where CSK Must Improve
The management has always been known for investing in experienced heads over flashy signings, and this time will be no different. However, the gaps in the squad are clear, and if CSK wish to return to their glory days, they must address these three areas:
Indian Spinner All-rounder
Chennai Super Kings may have let go of Ravindra Jadeja — a move that leaves a significant gap in their squad. They desperately need a reliable Indian spinner-all-rounder who can bowl steady middle overs, hit useful late runs and anchor the fielding unit. Without someone of that calibre, their squad balance suffers.
Among realistic targets are Ravi Bishnoi, a young wrist-spinner with batting potential; Rahul Chahar, who brings solid IPL experience and dual skills; and Shahbaz Ahmed, perhaps the closest to a Jadeja-type profile with left-arm spin and lower-order batting ability.
None of them match Jadeja’s all-round consistency, but one of them could at least step into his shoes and restore balance to the CSK setup.
A Reliable Foreign Opener
The opening combination was unsettled in 2025, and with Rachin Ravindra and Conway struggling, the team lacked a solid foreign partner at the top.
This will be someone who can act as a backup, because after acquiring Sanju Samson, there are very few chances of any other player opening besides Samson and Mhatre.
Hence, they can go for a good experienced opener, in Quinton de Kock. Another option is the return of Faf du Plessis.
Overseas Fast-Bowling All-Rounder
Having released 3 overseas players in Ravindra, Conway, and Pathirana, CSK now has 4 slots to fill for overseas players. And a fast-bowling all-rounder will certainly be on their radar.
Although CSK has retained Jamie Overton, they would still want to get a backup. Hence, at such a time, someone like Cameron Green or Andre Russell would be ideal.
The Core of CSK for 2026
Despite their woes, CSK still have a strong base of confirmed players. The following names are all but assured of a spot in the squad for 2026:
| Player | Role | Nationality | Amount (₹ crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Batter (Captain) | Indian | 18.00 (Moneycontrol) |
| MS Dhoni | Wicket-keeper/Batter | Indian | 4.00 (NDTV Sports) |
| Shivam Dube | All-rounder | Indian | 12.00 (Business Standard) |
| Noor Ahmad | Bowler | Afghan | 10.00 (Business Standard) |
| Khaleel Ahmed | Bowler | Indian | 4.80 (Business Standard) |
| Anshul Kamboj | All-rounder | Indian | 3.40 (Business Standard) |
| Gurjapneet Singh | Bowler | Indian | 2.20 |
| Nathan Ellis | Pace Bowler | Australian | 2.00 |
| Jamie Overton | All-rounder | English | 1.50 |
| Ayush Mhatre | Batter | Indian | [amount not specified] (NDTV Sports) |
| Urvil Patel | Batter | Indian | [amount not specified] (IPL T20) |
| Shreyas Gopal | Bowler | Indian | 0.30 |
| Mukesh Choudhary | Bowler | Indian | 0.30 |
| Ramakrishna Ghosh | Batter / All-rounder | Indian | 0.30 (IPL T20) |
| Dewald Brevis | Batter | South African | 2.20 |
This core of fifteen provides a blend of experience, overseas firepower, and emerging Indian talent. The challenge now is to fill the remaining slots wisely, keeping in mind the impact player rule and overall balance. Hence, the amount of money remaining in CSK’s purse will be of vital importance heading into the mini auction 2025.
CSK’s Road Back Starts at the Auction Table
CSK’s rebuild is already in motion, and the ₹43.3 crore purse gives them enough room to reshape the squad with purpose. The gaps are clear, the targets are realistic, and the core remains strong. What happens at the mini auction will decide how quickly they climb back from a forgettable 2025 season.
With smart buys and trust in their young brigade, Chennai have a genuine chance to return as title challengers in 2026. The coming weeks will reveal whether this overhaul becomes the start of CSK’s next great chapter.
