IPL 2026 Auction: Season-Wise List of CSK’s Costliest Players From 2008 to 2025 — From MS Dhoni to Ravindra Jadeja
Discover the season-wise list of Chennai Super Kings’ costliest IPL auction buys from 2008 to 2025, including MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Stokes, Deepak Chahar and more. CSK’s evolving strategy ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction.
Chennai Super Kings’ costliest IPL buys from 2008 to 2025 — from MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja to Ben Stokes and Noor Ahmad.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have through the years made bold and strategic auction decisions that paved the way for their championship legacy. The journey started with signing MS Dhoni in 2008 and progressed to the investment in emerging players like Noor Ahmad in 2025, and the biggest buy of each season is the proof of the shifting cricketing philosophy of the franchise—one based on roofers, balance and long-term winners.
CSK’s Foundation Years (2008–2012)
2008 – MS Dhoni (₹6 crore)
With signing India’s newly appointed captain, MS Dhoni, CSK made a strong statement in the first IPL auction and laid the foundation of the franchise’s leadership and eventually success.
2009 – Andrew Flintoff (₹7.5 crore)
The English all-rounder was one of CSK’s biggest early investments. Although injuries limited his impact, Flintoff’s signing proved CSK’s willingness to support global match-winners.
2010 – Justin Kemp (₹46 lakh)
Having a mostly settled squad, CSK added South African all-rounder Kemp at a low price to boost their middle-order and all-round balance.
2011 – Ravichandran Ashwin (₹3.7 crore)
After the mega auction reshuffle, CSK retained local talent Ashwin, who would strengthen their spin department for the next few years.
2012 – Ravindra Jadeja (₹9.72 crore)
In one of the IPL’s most exciting bidding wars, CSK won over Ravindra Jadeja—who would later turn out to be one of the franchise’s most powerful match-winners.
Major Buys in Recent Years (2018–2025)
2018 – Kedar Jadhav (₹7.8 crore)
CSK, having returned from the suspension, spotted the flexible Indian all-rounder Jadhav to be their middle-order support and thus Kedar Jadhav was targeted.
2022 – Deepak Chahar (₹14 crore)
Chahar’s re-signing, being the most expensive Indian bowler in CSK’s auction history at the time, confirmed the franchise’s commitment to swing pace.
2023 – Ben Stokes (₹16.25 crore)
CSK made a record by signing England’s superstar all-rounder, who was their most expensive buy ever.
2024 – Daryl Mitchell (₹14 crore)
Roped in to bolster CSK’s middle-order and finishing ability was the New Zealand batting powerhouse.
2025 – Noor Ahmad (₹10 crore)
CSK did not break the habit of a lifetime and groomed top-notch spinners by paying heavily for Afghan prodigy Noor Ahmad.
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