The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are in a desperate rebuild mode after their dismal IPL 2024 and 2025 campaigns. The Men in Yellow missed the playoffs in 2024 and hit rock bottom with a last-place finish in IPL 2025.As a result, they have been busy in the off-season, making a blockbuster trade to send all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran for Sanju Samson in return. Furthermore, CSK also released 10 players, freeing themselves of a massive purse of ₹43.40 crore for the upcoming IPL 2026 auction.While several overseas players will likely be on their auction radar, West Indian all-rounder Jason Holder should rank high on the list. The 34-year-old has played only sporadically in the IPL since his debut in 2013.Yet, we look at three key reasons why CSK must target Jason Holder in the IPL 2026 auction.#1 Jason Holder is in the middle of his best stretch in the shortest formatJason Holder has often been considered among the best all-rounders in Test cricket, but his stature in the white-ball formats has never reached similar heights. Despite possessing all the physical gifts required to flourish in T20s, the veteran could not hit the bullseye with bat or ball like his other West Indian contemporaries.However, come this year, Holder has taken to T20Is like a fish to water as a game-changing all-rounder. For starters, the former captain has been committed to playing the shortest format like never before, representing the West Indies in 23 T20I games this year.Holder boasts outstanding numbers with the ball in T20Is this year, picking up 31 wickets at an average of 22.61 and an economy of 8.60. His batting has also evolved this year, with an average of almost 20 and a strike rate of 149.12 in T20Is in 2025.In a format where form supersedes reputation and experience, Holder's impressive T20I run could be just what the doctor ordered for CSK next season.#2 Jason Holder fills a gaping hole for CSK with his newfound bowling versatilityFor far too long in his T20 career, Jason Holder was a one-dimensional bowler, resulting in his value being lower than his skillset warranted. At certain stretches, the 34-year-old primarily operated with the new ball, while other phases saw him master the art of death-bowling.Yet, Holder rarely succeeded across facets with the ball until recently, when he bowled effectively in all phases in T20Is. The right-arm pacer has bowled 34 overs in the powerplay in T20Is this year, picking up 12 wickets at an average of 25.20.Similarly, Holder has also bowled 29.3 overs from the 16th to the 20th over, tasting incredible success with 16 scalps at an average of 15.40 and an economy of only 8.34.Furthermore, he has also bowled 18 overs in the middle phase (7th to 15th over), with three wickets and an economy of 8.50. Holder's newfound consistency across the innings with the ball fits exactly what CSK need from one of their pacers, given their struggles last season.In Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj, CSK had two pacers adept predominantly only in the powerplay. Conversely, the now-released Matheesha Pathirana almost exclusively bowled only in the second half of the innings.The lack of versatility in the pace department meant the Men in Yellow often had to use spinners in the powerplay and the death, much to their detriment. With Holder, the five-time champions could finally boast a seamer who can be utilized anytime through the 20 overs.#3 Circumstances have made someone of Jason Holder's ilk a non-negotiable for CSKA genuine all-rounder in the lower middle-order became a non-negotiable for CSK once they traded out both Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran in the off-season. However, with the recent retirements and pull-outs of Andre Russell, Glenn Maxwell, and Moeen Ali, the options for the role have dwindled for the upcoming auction.While Cameron Green will likely be the centre of attraction among overseas all-rounders, Holder could be right behind him at second place under the circumstances. Having not played an IPL game since 2023 and carrying a less-than-ideal reputation in the IPL, Holder could be a bargain buy that reaps incredible reward for CSK next season.Given the lack of bona fide options for the fast-bowling all-rounder role and CSK's necessity for the position minus Jadeja and Curran, Holder must rank high on their bucket list for the IPL 2026 auction.