The CSK team surprised everyone when they accepted the dismissal of Ravindra Jadeja in place of Sanju Samson. With this move, they are short of spinners, a team that has been dominated by a great spinning deck due to its home ground advantage in Chepauk.
Chennai Super Kings have always depended on their quality spinners. Over the years they have included some of India’s best spinners like Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Harbhajan Singh.
The reason for CSK’s preference for spinners is the help the spin bowlers are getting at their home ground MA Chidambaram Stadium. However, this time, with Ashwin retiring and Jadeja being dropped, CSK is left short of spinners for the upcoming season.
CSK and RCB tussle over 2 former Mumbai Indians players
Currently, Chennai Super Kings have only Noor Ahmed as the main spinner of the team, while they also have some Indian domestic options like Shreyas Gopal, and some part-time options like Dewald Brevis.
They are in serious search of adding another premier spin bowler to their team. According to Rohit Juglan of RevSportz, CSK veteran MS Dhoni was very impressed with Vignesh Puthur’s brilliant performance against him in Chepauk 2025.
Puthur had a good season with Mumbai Indians despite limited opportunities. Despite having Krunal Pandya and Suyyash Sharma, RCB is looking for a backup spinner.
They may be citing lack of form or injury to bring in a backup spinner. Another MI spinner, Karn Sharma, may also be in similar demand.
Mathisha Pathirana gets big bid in mini-auction; Can CSK use RTM?
Chennai Super Kings has released one of their signature players, Mathisha Pathirana. The speedster has played for CSK since the beginning of his IPL career and gradually made a name for himself under the Men in Yellow. Super Kings have received a huge amount from his release.
There could be a high bid for Pathirana in the mini-auction, with franchises like KKR having a vacancy for an overseas fast bowler. Considering his poor performance in the death overs last season, even Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings could be interested in the Lankan pacer.
With this being a mini-auction, Chennai Super Kings will not have the opportunity to retain any of the players they already have, and hence, this will mark the end of Pathirana in the yellow shirt.
Who will be Pathirana’s replacement in Chennai Super Kings?
Chennai Super Kings may have taken note of Nathan Ellis’ growing potential in the shortest format of the game. Ellis fits in with the experience model often desired by the CSK management, and he bowled very well during India’s recent tour of Australia.
Ellis could be Chennai’s preferred bowler to replace Pathirana, and the Australian has some intriguing white-ball skills in the powerplay, middle overs and death overs.
Additionally, with the huge purse, Chennai Super Kings could also target Cameron Green or Liam Livingstone in their middle-order, who could also bring in an extra bowling arm.
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