Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has provided insights into potential releases by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. According to Chopra, one of the likely releases from the team is Devon Conway, the New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman who did not receive sufficient playing time in IPL 2025 despite being bought for a significant sum.
All franchises are required to submit their retention lists before the upcoming auction, which is expected to take place a month from now. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra suggested that CSK might release Conway along with the already retired Ravichandran Ashwin.
Chopra highlighted Conway’s performance in the previous season, where he scored 156 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 131.09. However, due to injury issues and limited opportunities, Chopra believes that CSK will opt to release him, considering his price tag of ₹6.25 crore.
Apart from Conway, Chopra also mentioned the potential release of Rahul Tripathi, who managed only 55 runs at an average of 11.00 in five innings for CSK in IPL 2025. With Tripathi valued at ₹3.40 crore, his release could free up additional funds for the franchise.
Chopra further suggested that CSK might part ways with Deepak Hooda and Vijay Shankar, valued at ₹1.70 crore and ₹1.20 crore, respectively. By releasing these players, along with Ashwin, Conway, and Tripathi, CSK could potentially free up around ₹23 crore for the upcoming auction.
However, Chopra also mentioned a few players whom he believes CSK should retain, including Rachin Ravindra, Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, and Urvil Patel. These players were brought in as replacements during IPL 2025 and could offer value to the team in the future.
Overall, Chopra’s analysis provides valuable insights into CSK’s potential squad changes ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. By making strategic releases and retentions, the franchise aims to build a competitive team for the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more updates on IPL 2025, live scores, match schedules, and squad details of all participating teams.
