“Where will he fit in this team?” - Former India captain’s blunt statement on CSK’s plan for IPL 2026 auction

Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth believes batting all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer will be a misfit in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lineup should the franchise acquire him in the IPL 2026 auction. Iyer is one of several marquee names set to go under the hammer on Tuesday, December 16.

After being bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a whopping ₹23.75 crore in the 2025 auction, the southpaw disappointed last season. Iyer finished with under 150 runs in IPL 2025 at an average of 20.28 in 11 outings.

Talking about CSK potentially going for Venkatesh Iyer in the IPL 2026 auction, Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel (6:00):

"Venkatesh Iyer won't fit into the scheme of things as he can't bat beyond 4 or 5. A lot of people are talking about Venkatesh Iyer coming to CSK, but where will he fit in this team? He won't fit in now in this batting order. Someone like Cooper Connolly or Jamie Overton can play at 7 as the all-rounder. Venkatesh Iyer has hardly bowled in the IPL."

Srikknath urged CSK to go for a foreign spin-bowling all-rounder at the No. 6 spot, saying:

"I don't mind even Livingstone in that spot because he is capable of bowling off and leg spin. CSK needs a finisher at 6 or 7, so Livingstone or Cooper Connolly fit the bill perfectly. Another perfect choice would be Michael Bracewell. One of these three CSK should make sure are in the team."

While Connolly and Bracewell did not feature in the IPL last season, Livingstone disappointed for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), resulting in the franchise releasing him.

"I'll go for Mustafizur or even Ngidi" - Kris Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth advised CSK to go all-out for Mustafizur Rahman or Lungi Ngidi to shore up their pace-bowling department in the auction. The two seamers have previously played for the franchise and enjoyed success, especially in Chepauk Stadium.

Srikkanth also called upon the Men in Yellow to acquire Rahul Chahar as their leg-spinner over Ravi Bishnoi.

"Pace-bowling, I'll go for Mustafizur or even Ngidi. Ngidi is bowling brilliantly now. He has also played a lot in India and has previously played for CSK. Nortje is a good bowler, but he gets smashed far too often. Spinners, I'll go for Rahul Chahar. He's an undermined bowler. I won't go for Ravi Bishnoi. They can maybe go for Tanush Kotian too. Go for some youngsters instead of Ravi Bishnoi," he said (via the aforementioned source).

CSK endured their worst-ever IPL season in 2025, finishing at the bottom of the table. They will enter the auction with the second-highest purse of ₹43.40 crore.