Courtesy: BCCI/IPL
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have emerged as one of the strongest teams in the IPL over the years. However, the things were completely different in IPL 2025 as they ended up winning just four out of their 14 league matches and were knocked out from the playoffs early in the tournament. One of the main reasons for CSK’s poor performance was their disappointing batting performance throughout the season. The MS Dhoni–led side couldn’t get a good start by their opening batters nor they were able to accelerate in the middle-overs.
CSK had a high hopes from their opening pair including Rachin Ravindra and Rahul Tripathi ahead of the start of IPL 2025 but it turned out to be a disappointment. On top of all these, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad was also ruled out after half of the season due to injury. In his place CSK called 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre who turned out to be impressive as an opening batter. However, CSK still need to find a stable opening pair for the next season and will be looking to get some impactful names in the IPL 2026 auction.
Let’s have a look at the three opening batsmen that CSK might target in IPL 2026 auction
Prithvi Shaw
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Prithvi Shaw is going through a tough time in his cricketing career. From scoring a hundred in his debut Test for India to getting completely disappeared. Shaw might have received a big shock after he went unsold in the mega auction last year and will be looking for a strong comeback. On the other hand, CSK is also known to be franchise where the players kind of get a second chance in their career. Looking at the current scenario, CSK are likely to bid for Prithvi Shaw if he appears in the IPL 2026 mini-auction.
KL Rahul
As there are rumours going regarding KL Rahul’s departure from Delhi Capitals, CSK can be among the first teams to bid for him if he gets in the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Rahul had a great season for DC where he amassed 539 runs from 13 matches at an average of 53.90. Although he mostly played as a middle-order batter in IPL 2025, KL Rahul can also play as a regular opening batter and CSK will be looking to add him to fill the place of an star opening batter ahead of IPL 2026.
Ryan Rickelton
One of the overseas opening batsmen that CSK might target in the IPL 2026 auction can be Ryan Rickelton. The left-hander had a great outing while playing for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025 where he amassed 388 runs from 14 matches at a strike rate of 150.97. There can be chance that MI release him ahead of IPL 2026 auction and CSK can show their interest for the star Proteas batter in the auction.
