3 players CSK must target at the IPL 2026 auction ft. Jason Holder

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have quite a bit of work to do at the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. With ₹43.4 crore to spend and many slots to fill, the Men in Yellow are expected to be one of the most active sides at the event on Tuesday, December 16.

The Super Kings had a dreadful season earlier this year and will wear a completely new look during the next campaign. Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran have been traded away, while Sanju Samson will don the yellow. A number of players were released as well.

Players released: Ravindra Jadeja (traded to RR), Sam Curran (traded to RR), Andre Siddarth, Deepak Hooda, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Matheesha Pathirana, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Rahul Tripathi, Shaik Rasheed, Vansh Bedi, Vijay Shankar.

Players retained: MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson (traded in from RR), Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brewis, Shivam Dube, Urvil Patel, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Jamie Overton, Gurjapneet Singh, Anshul Kamboj.

Who can Chennai acquire to replace these outgoing names? On that note, here are three players CSK must target at the IPL 2026 auction.

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#3 Liam Livingstone

2025 IPL - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Source: Getty

It seems like the Kolkata Knight Riders are in prime position to sign Cameron Green, but that doesn't mean CSK can't sign a quality overseas all-rounder at the IPL 2026 auction. Liam Livingstone, who featured for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2025 season, is expected to fetch a heavy payday on Tuesday.

Livingstone would be a perfect fit for CSK, who need a middle-order batter who can bowl spin. The Englishman's pace-hitting will perfectly fill the void left behind by Jadeja, and his bowling could be more than useful if Chepauk returns to the spin haven it once was.

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#2 Jason Holder

New Zealand v West Indies: 3rd T20 - Source: Getty

Jason Holder has rarely been the most reliable T20 player in the world, but he seems to have turned a corner in 2025. He is the highest wicket-taker in the shortest format in this calendar year, and his strike rate has gone up several notches to be around the 160-mark.

Holder, who has represented CSK before, could be ready for a return to the IPL. Curran's absence has left Jamie Overton as the only fast-bowling all-rounder in the Chennai ranks, and someone like the West Indian could give the franchise a solid option in the lower-middle order.

Armed with a dipping slower ball and a more accurate yorker, Holder could give CSK the balance they so desperately crave.

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#1 Prashant Veer

Having released Jadeja and Rachin Ravindra, CSK have no left-arm spinners on their roster. They will no doubt need to find an adequate replacement from the domestic options on offer.

In that regard, Prashant Veer seems to be a perfect fit. The young all-rounder has an excellent economy rate hovering around six and seems to possess the defensive bowling skills needed for the T20 format. He has also chipped in with a few useful cameos down the order both in U23 cricket as well as at the senior level.

Young with an immense ceiling, Veer could be the ideal Jadeja replacement in Chennai.