CSK IPL 2026 Auction Strategy: The 3-time IPL champs KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) had bought Venkatesh Iyer for a massive sum of Rs 23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. The former Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin stats that Venkatesh Iyer might be donning the yellow (CSK) jersey in the upcoming IPL 2026 edition. The former thinks that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won’t retain him and we’ll see the left-handed batter in the IPL 2026 auction.
Will Venkatesh Iyer play for CSK in IPL 2026?
If the Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja trade to the Rajasthan Royals (RR) goes through, Ashwin thinks CSK will look to make changes in their batting. Since both Curran and Jadeja are left-handed batters, CSK will look for like-for-like replacements. In his point of view, Venkatesh Iyer or Nitish Rana can be a perfect pick.
“CSK can really strengthen this side. The moment Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja have gone there (to RR), I see Nitish Rana coming into the auction. So, Nitish Rana and Venkatesh Iyer will 100% be on the radar of CSK. If Samson and Ruturaj open, it’ll be the best thing to happen. At 3, they’ll look at Venkatesh Iyer or Nitish Rana. Brevis and Dube will be at 4 and 5, and then they’ll try to insert Cameron Green at 6 because recently he has batted in the middle order for Australia,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
Also Read: IPL 2026 Auction: Why RCB doesn’t need to change much in squad – what’s prime reason behind it?
Ashwin also highlighted their performance at Chepauk
Both Venkatesh and Nitish are brilliant players of spin. Ashwin also highlighted his solid performances at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Venkatesh averages 32 in Chepauk with a strike rate of 168.42. Ashwin thinks someone like him, who sweeps well, can be perfect for CSK.
“Venkatesh Iyer has played one or two good innings in Chepauk. However, he is a replica of Shivam Dube with long levers down the ground. But he can play the sweep and reverse sweep. Nevertheless, someone like Nitish Rana, who is shorter, can access the square boundaries and use the bounce, and is an attractive option. There is a great chance he will come to CSK,” he added.
