CSK ordered to release Sam Curran, Devon Conway; Cameron Green made top priority for IPL 2026 auction

Former India National Cricket Team skipper Kris Srikkanth has shared some views on the possible strategy of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction.

Kris Srikkanth has advised the five-time champions to release the star England National Cricket Team all-rounder Sam Curran and the New Zealand National Cricket Team batsman Devon Conway from the squad.

IPL 2026 auction to be held in India

The Indian Premier League 2026 auction will reportedly be held in December. It is unlikely that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will choose an overseas location for the event, and it will actually be hosted in India.

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Ahead of the auction, the franchises have already started making big moves like the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) roping in Kane Williamson in a strategic role and the Rajasthan Royals (RR) parting ways with their head coach Rahul Dravid.

Another franchise that has been in discussions is the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who had a horrible run in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 and finished at the very bottom on the points table.

A recent report revealed that the Chennai Super Kings are looking to release Deepak Hooda, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Sam Curran, and Devon Conway ahead of the auction to free up some purse, which already had a decent amount following the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin.

However, the Chennai Super Kings rubbished those reports and stated that a meeting will be held between MS Dhoni, Stephen Fleming, and Ruturaj Gaikwad to finalize the retention list.

The ideal player for CSK would be Cameron Green, a medium-pace all-rounder - Kris Srikkanth

Talking about Chennai Super Kings' possible auction strategy, the former India skipper Kris Srikkanth stated that the Australian pace-bowling all-rounder Cameron Green should be the top priority of the franchise. In a video shared on his official YouTube channel, he said:

"The ideal player for CSK would be Cameron Green, a medium-pace all-rounder. I'll definitely retain Nathan Ellis. Even with Pathirana there, I'll retain Ellis. The top seven is already set and CSK can play Pathirana and Ellis in the 11. So the 11 is already semi-set. Now it's just about picking players in case of injuries."

They must go with a good purse to have a better opportunity at building a solid squad. Other teams will also release so you can pick players from those as well. It's not just that you've to pick up fresh players."

Also Read: Vaibhav Suryavanshi dragged into age-fraud controversy by India, Australia legends

I will definitely release Devon Conway - Kris Srikkanth

Devon Conway was once regarded as one of the best all-format players, but there has been a steep decline in his form, and the 1983 World Cup winner wants him out of the Chennai Super Kings.

He further suggested the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side to part ways with Sam Curran, who recently made his England comeback, Rahul Tripathi, as well as Kiwi Rachin Ravindra.

"I will definitely release Devon Conway. I won't retain Rachin Ravindra, especially with Jadeja already there. So, Rachin Ravindra, I'll release and try to buy him back for a lower price. Likewise, Rahul Tripathi must be released," said Srikkanth.

"Sam Curran also should be released. He can perform well elsewhere but he has to deliver in the IPL. CSK's top seven is already set with Mhatre, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Dewald Brevis, Jadeja and Dhoni. So why retain Sam Curran? Where is he doing to fit in this eleven? Hooda and Overton should be released."