3 CSK players who could be released before IPL 2027 Auction

Chennai Super Kings had a difficult IPL 2026 campaign, finishing eighth with six wins from 14 matches and exiting as the third team eliminated. As the November 17, 2026 retention deadline draws near, the franchise faces some hard decisions about which players to keep and which to let go.

A CSK official confirmed to Cricbuzz as of November 2, 2026 that no final call on retentions or releases had been taken. With purse management a key concern heading into the IPL 2027 auction, three players in particular appear to be at risk of being released.

Here are three CSK players who could be released before IPL 2027 Auction:

1. Prashant Veer

Prashant Veer, a left-arm spinning all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh, was purchased by CSK for ₹14.2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction. The franchise had envisioned him stepping into the kind of role that Ravindra Jadeja had traditionally filled, following Jadeja's trade to Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026. However, Veer managed only six appearances during the season, scoring 90 runs and claiming zero wickets at a bowling economy of 12.5. Retaining him at ₹14.2 crore would place a significant strain on CSK's available purse for the IPL 2027 auction cycle.

2. Kartik Sharma

Kartik Sharma, a 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, was also bought by CSK for ₹14.2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction, matching Prashant Veer's price tag. Across 11 matches, he scored 295 runs at an average of 32.78 and a strike rate of 136.57, including two half-centuries. His highest score of 71 came against Lucknow Super Giants. Despite those numbers, experts believe the auction market will not support a ₹14.2 crore valuation for him. The strategy of releasing him and re-acquiring him at around ₹5.5 crore has been floated as a way to free up funds.

3. Matthew Short

Australian all-rounder Matthew Short was bought by CSK for ₹1.5 crore and managed only three matches in IPL 2026, scoring 60 runs at an average of 20.00 and a strike rate of 117.65. He was unable to secure a regular place in the playing XI throughout the season. CSK subsequently completed a four-player trade with Sunrisers Hyderabad, which brought England all-rounder Liam Livingstone and Australian batter Jack Edwards to the franchise. Livingstone's addition as a power-hitting batting option who can also bowl off-spin has made Short's position in the overseas core effectively redundant. With stronger overseas options now available, Short's retention appears unlikely ahead of the IPL 2027 auction.