At the IPL 2026 auction, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stacked up with an outlay that not only surprised but also made them the talk of the event.
The second-highest budget did not come to waste; quite the opposite, the five-time champions demonstrated their intentions through a substantial investment in two names that are still largely unknown—Prashant Veer from Uttar Pradesh and Kartik Sharma from Rajasthan. The two uncapped all-rounders were awarded Rs. 14.20 crores each, which put them on the pedestal of the costliest uncapped players in the entire IPL history.
The left-arm spin all-rounder Prashant Veer, who is 20 years old, managed to catch the attention of CSK in his trial before the auction. His all-around talent and cool demeanor have already started drawing parallels with Ravindra Jadeja, whom he is thought to be a long-term successor to.
Prashant is known for his close spin and hard-hitting in the middle order, and thus, he contributes not only by being a very good bowler but also by being a batsman who scores fast, thereby adding valuable depth and balance to the Chennai lineup.
Kartik Sharma, on the other hand, is a wicketkeeper-batter who is not only a clean ball striker but also an explosive player whose striking power is limited to the middle order. Nevertheless, his journey to the XI may not be instant, as CSK already comprises a vast pool of wicketkeeping talent. His versatility, however, could prove him as a priceless asset in future campaigns.
In addition to these record-breaking buoys, CSK further augments their squad through a combination of domestic and international signings—specifically Aman Khan, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Short, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, and Rahul Chahar. This is a moderate yet vibrant approach to the 2026 season.
CSK’s Best Playing XI For IPL 2026
Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Ayush Mhatre, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Sarfaraz Khan, Prashant Veer, MS Dhoni (WK), Nathan Ellis, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed.
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