Chennai Super Kings (CSK)’s hopes of bringing Washington Sundar on board have been dashed as Gujarat Titans (GT) have reportedly rejected their trade request for the India off-spin all-rounder ahead of the upcoming IPL 2026 auction.
After Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from the game, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are keen to bring in an off-spinner who can also be a useful batsman, and Washington Sundar seems to be the perfect fit for that. Given that, CSK had set their sights on Sundar to strengthen their spin attack for IPL 2026.
CSK’s Washington Sundar move put on hold as Gujarat Titans reject trade offer
With Ravindra Jadeja likely to be part of a mega swap deal with Rajasthan Royals along with Sanju Samson, CSK are actively looking for a reliable Indian spinner to keep their spin-heavy legacy intact. Currently, the only established spinner in CSK’s setup is Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmed.
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The franchise was hoping to bring in Sundar, who made his mark in the inaugural IPL under the guidance of Stephen Fleming during his stint with Rising Pune Supergiants, but Gujarat Titans are unwilling to part with the Indian all-rounder. Notably, Sundar was signed by GT for Rs 3.2 crore ahead of the 2025 season.
Gujarat Titans rejected CSK’s offer
Gujarat Titans have “rejected” CSK’s offer for Washington Sundar, reports The Indian Express. He had approached the franchise, but GT is not interested in parting ways with the off-spinner despite him playing only six matches for them in IPL 2025.
But Sundar’s performances for India across all formats have cemented his reputation as a dependable all-rounder. His improved batting, especially during the T20 series in Australia, has completely transformed him into a modern-day asset.
Gujarat are reportedly looking at Washington Sundar as a player who can bowl at multiple phases of the innings and provide flexibility with the bat. With only a few quality Indian spin-bowling all-rounders available in the market, Gujarat Titans are unwilling to lose them, especially when overseas options are limited due to regulations.
Washington Sundar’s all-round performance in IPL
Sundar, in particular, has quietly built an impressive record in the IPL over the last few years. With an economy rate under 8, the Indian all-rounder has taken 39 wickets in 66 matches, which is fantastic considering he often bowls during the powerplay, one of the toughest phases for any bowler.
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Apart from his bowling, the left-handed batsman has also made useful contributions with the bat and has scored 511 runs in 45 innings. His ability to perform well with both bat and ball makes him one of the most valuable all-rounders in Indian cricket at the moment.
Gujarat Titans’ rejection forces CSK to rethink spin strategy ahead of IPL 2026
For Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans’ rejection is a big blow to their plans. The franchise has long been known for its strong spin attack, which includes names like Muttiah Muralitharan, Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Imran Tahir and Harbhajan Singh.
Now, CSK will have to explore other options in the IPL 2026 auction to find the next spinner who can carry on that legacy if they let Jadeja go for Sanju Samson.