IPL 2026 Auction 5 Players CSK Might Release: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and More

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, had their worst-ever season in 2025, finishing tenth, i.e., at the bottom of the entire standings, with only four wins out of 14 matches. For the first time ever, the five-time champions failed to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, setting the stage for a period of serious introspection within the camp.

With the IPL retirement of a seasoned campaigner in Ravichandran Ashwin, who had an auction purse of ₹9.75 crore, CSK can now plan a modern approach. With the 2026 auction coming right on the heels, the management may choose to let go of some underperformers, who might strengthen the team going forward for another title run.

Let us see which five players CSK might release for an auction purse boost in IPL 2026:

1. Devon Conway

Auction Price: ₹6.25 crore

IPL 2025 Stats: 156 runs in 6 matches

Career Stats: 1080 runs in 29 matches | Avg: 43.20 | SR: 139.71

After the stellar 2023 campaign, Conway failed to continue his run of form in IPL 2025. Initially, CSK preferred Rachin Ravindra as their opening batter, and when Conway did get a fairly long run in the side, he failed to award his management with consistent performances, accumulating just 156 runs off 6 games.

With such a high salary and such low returns, CSK may well be tempted to release him ahead of IPL 2026 to go chasing a more dependable opener.

2. Rahul Tripathi

Auction Price: ₹3.40 crores

IPL 2025 Stats: 55 runs; 5 matches, Avg: 11.00; SR: 96.49

Career Stats: 2291 runs, 100 matches; Avg: 26.33; SR: 137.85

An established domestic hand, Rahul Tripathi was expected to add some solidity to the middle order of CSK. However, his 2025 season seemed to be a nightmare: 55 runs in 5 matches, then dropped.

Due to inconsistency, and with better options present in the Indian circuit, CSK might hang him up and try to search for a dependable Indian batter for the 2026 season.

3. Rachin Ravindra

Auction Price: ₹4 crore (RTM Card)

IPL 2025 Stats: 191 runs in 8 matches | Avg: 27.28 | SR: 128.18

Career Stats: 413 runs in 18 matches | Avg: 24.29 | SR: 128.18

After using an RTM card to retain Rachin Ravindra, CSK must have been awfully excited. But the Kiwi all-rounder did not perform up to par — so much so that the hopeful flashes of brilliance barely amounted to anything.

Given his potential yet inconsistent output, the franchise might consider letting him go so that money can be freed for a different overseas opener or all-rounder.

4. Shaik Rasheed

Auction Price: ₹1.20 crore

IPL 2025 Stats: 48 runs in 4 matches | Avg: 12.00 | SR: 102.12

Shaik Rasheed, a young talent from India, has shown some potential but might have lacked experience in pressure situations. CSK might release Rasheed for now to explore other options in Indian batting, with a possibility of buying him back at a drop in price if needed.

5. Mustafizur Rahman

Auction Price: ₹2 crore

IPL 2025 Stats: 8 wickets 9 matches | Econ: 9.25

Mustafizur was expected to strengthen the fast bowling, but he lacked consistency in the death overs. With potential young pacers like Tushar Deshpande and Matheesha Pathirana already part of the CSK lineup, the Chennai Super Kings may now let go of Mustafizur to accommodate another aggressive overseas seamer.

Next for CSK?

With Ashwin's retirement freeing ₹9.75 crore, and the possibility of yet more releases freeing an estimated ₹15-20 crores, could CSK find themselves with a neat little purse at the IPL 2026 auction? It does seem the franchise will prioritize revamping their order and targeting some impactful all-rounders to regain their winning touch.

After two hit-the-ground glum seasons, the focus will squarely lie on MS Dhoni and the CSK think tank for resurrecting the "Yellow Army" for one more tilt at the title.