KL Rahul or Ishan Kishan? CSK’s top target for IPL Auction revealed
Published - 07 Nov 2025, 02:46 PM | Updated - 07 Nov 2025, 02:49 PM
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With the IPL 2026 auction season approaching, the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are planning to bring in fresh faces and new energy to their squad. Amidst the buzz over the high-profile trades, the Chennai Super Kings are planning something surprising.
The 2025 IPL season was one to forget for the Chennai Super Kings. For the first time in their history, the Chennai team finished at the bottom of the points table. The Men in Yellow played 14 matches but managed to win only four games throughout the tournament.
Chennai Super Kings in talks with Mohamed Ali and Sonu Yadav ahead of IPL 2026
However, CSK are now fully focused on making a strong comeback in IPL 2026. The team management is already planning big changes, looking to rebuild a balanced squad that can bring back the team’s winning culture in the next edition of the tournament.
Meanwhile, a Revsportz journalist, Rohit Juglan, revealed that CSK are in talks to sign two emerging stars—Mohamed Ali and Sonu Yadav—ahead of the next season. Tamil Nadu’s off-spinner Ali is on their radar despite having played only three T20s so far and having yet to take a wicket.
Uttar Pradesh all-rounder Sonu Yadav was already part of the RCB, and now CSK wants to bring the youngster to the side to add fresh firepower to the squad. He already has 39 wickets and over 200 runs in 23 matches across the formats in domestic cricket.
CSK targets Ishan Kishan or KL Rahul for key role
But the real buzz surrounds Chennai Super Kings’ hunt for a top-class wicketkeeper-batter. As reported by the Revsportz journalist, the franchise is eyeing either Ishan Kishan or KL Rahul, two of India’s most explosive and dependable batters, for the IPL 2026.
The CSK team management wants to have a quality wicketkeeper who can also anchor the innings, which is crucial for their long-term plans. However, the situation is not that simple, as KL Rahul remains one of the most consistent performers, so the Delhi Capitals are not ready to release him.
Read Also: Sanju Samson hung in between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals, fallout happens the last minute
This puts Ishan Kishan firmly up for grabs if Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) releases him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, and if the move goes through, fans could very well see him don the iconic yellow jersey next season. However, at this stage, nothing is finalized.
Sources close to the franchise reveal that CSK’s think tank is keen on youth and versatility, and Kishan fits that profile perfectly. His attacking batting style and smart wicketkeeping make him a perfect match for the team’s aggressive brand of cricket.
MS Dhoni is not retiring after IPL 2026: CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan
Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan has finally given a big update on MS Dhoni’s future with the franchise. Viswanathan confirmed that Dhoni is not retiring after the upcoming IPL 2026 season, ending weeks of speculation about the legendary cricketer’s future.
The CSK CEO mentioned that Dhoni remains fully committed to the team and continues to play a key role in guiding the younger players. When asked further about how long Dhoni intends to continue, Viswanathan said, “I’ll check with him and let you know.”
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