Dad’s Army to T20 Babies: CSK Reset Their DNA, But Did the IPL 2026 Auction Miss the Mark?

At the IPL 2026 mini-auction, Chennai Super Kings have not only changed but also thrown away their decade-old script, thus marking a daring generational shift that might even change the franchise’s character. The team that once was proudly named “Dad’s Army” due to its reliance on experience has now invested completely in the youth — which in turn has raised questions about the balance of the team.

At the Abu Dhabi auction, CSK made a team consisting of 16 players under the age of 30 out of the total 25. The moves by the team were nothing short of historic: the 20-year-old left-arm spinner and power-hitter Prashant Veer and the 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma have become the most expensive uncapped Indians ever in IPL history with ₹14.2 crore each paid by CSK. The change was drastic and completely opposite to a franchise associated with well-seasoned international players of the past.

For a long time, CSK continued to earn their living by going against the T20 trends. In 2018, when the critics were calling them too old, the team took up the “Dad’s Army” moniker and triumphantly lifted the cup. That tenet — favouring putting the trust in the experienced over the exuberant — not only brought titles in 2021 and 2023 but also encouraged the youngsters to wait mostly unnoticed in the background. MS Dhoni, the captain himself, has even hinted that some of them do not have the required fire in them.

The significant change was evident during the disastrous 2025 season. Due to injuries, Dhoni was compelled to step in again as the captain but the whole thing fell apart and CSK got stuck at the bottom of the standings for the first time ever in the IPL. While the situation was really bad, there was still a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Teenager Ayush Mhatre batted fearlessly at the top, Dewald Brevis provided explosive intent, and Urvil Patel impressed with clean hitting. That late surge of youthful energy appeared to change CSK’s outlook.

The franchise responded decisively. Ravindra Jadeja was traded, Sanju Samson was acquired in a significant swap, and the bidding technique changed drastically. CSK did not show any interest in the proved names of 30 years and above like David Miller or Jason Holder, who instead were taken and later treated as an investment in potential and pace.

Head coach Stephen Fleming subsequently admitted that CSK perhaps struggled to keep up with the changing expectations of the modern T20 cricket in a timely manner. He cited the boldness of the younger players — “T20 babies,” as he called them — who play with no or very little thinking, which is a quality that is being valued more and more as the format speeds up.

The change in tactics was not only a reflection of the changing age but also of the succession planning. The league's most iconic player, MS Dhoni, is nearing the end of his career; hence CSK is clearly setting the stage for a world without Dhoni. The signing of Samson not only brings in stardom but also leadership, besides the big spend on youth indicating that CSK is opting for a long-term approach rather than a short-term remedy. Former CSK batsman Robin Uthappa has even gone to the extent of saying that the IPL season of 2026 could be the last for MS Dhoni and the transition would thus become inevitable.

Nevertheless, the bold move towards youth has revealed some difficult areas. CSK entered the auction needing a reliable finisher, a Jadeja-like all-rounder, an extra Indian spinner, and a proven death-overs pacer. While Prashant Veer looks like a promising long-term Jadeja successor, Kartik Sharma’s fit is less clear in a middle order already crowded with Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mhatre and Brevis.

The bowling unit raises further concerns. Matt Henry strengthens the new-ball attack, but the release of Matheesha Pathirana has left a void at the death. With several pacers more effective up front than at the back end, CSK may be relying heavily on untested options in pressure overs.

In trying to reinvent their DNA, CSK have shown courage and clarity of intent. But auctions are about balance as much as vision. The Super Kings, who were once celebrated for their ability to construct title-winning teams through auctions, are now entering a season in which their trust in young players will be put to the test right away. One of the key narratives of IPL 2026 will be whether this daring reset brings about immediate prosperity or turns out to be a little too ambitious.