Chennai Super Kings’ disappointing IPL 2026 campaign has triggered discussions about the franchise’s future, and former CSK spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes the team must address three key areas before the next season. After finishing well below expectations, the five-time champions are now facing questions about their squad composition, auction decisions and playing style.
Ashwin shared his thoughts on what went wrong and outlined the changes he feels are necessary for CSK to return to contention.
Auction planning needs improvement
The first area Ashwin pointed to was the franchise’s auction strategy. He suggested that CSK need to be more decisive and forward-looking when building their squad. He said on his YouTube channel, “Auction strategies need to be reworked. Two teams picked Venkatesh Iyer and Jason Holder for 7 crores and made the final. Instead of picking two for 14 crores each, they should have gone for these two to achieve a combination of youth and experience. They didn’t gel as a team and had role clarity issues.” He also added, “Other teams suffered injuries before the season itself. But for CSK, injuries aren’t new, and their players got injured after the season started. Despite their best efforts, they couldn’t overcome the injuries, which continue to be a problem for them. They gave the wrong insertion points for many players. Using Brevis and Dube as finishers means the decision-making was also lopsided.”
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With the IPL becoming increasingly competitive, auction decisions often determine a team’s success. Ashwin believes CSK must focus on acquiring players who can meet the demands of modern T20 cricket while also strengthening areas that lacked depth during the season.
Time to inject more youth into the squad
Ashwin also stressed the importance of bringing in younger players. While CSK have traditionally relied on experienced cricketers, IPL 2026 once again showed how impactful young talent can be across the league.
Q: What was the highest and lowest point for CSK this season?
Ravi Ashwin: “The highest point for CSK was that game in Delhi, especially Sanju Samson’s knock. Badani said that match was a low point for Delhi because of their batting, but for me, it was the highest point for pic.twitter.com/CR7Fe80Omv
— Abhishek Kumar (@Abhishek060722) June 2, 2026
He feels the franchise should add more energetic and dynamic players capable of contributing in multiple roles. A younger squad would not only improve fielding standards but also provide greater flexibility in both batting and bowling departments.
Adapting to the modern T20 game
The third change Ashwin highlighted was the need for a more aggressive and contemporary approach. T20 cricket continues to evolve rapidly, with teams placing greater emphasis on attacking intent and innovative tactics.
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Ashwin believes CSK must adapt to these trends and rethink certain strategies to remain competitive. A more proactive mindset, combined with better match-ups and fearless cricket, could help the franchise regain its edge.
Despite a difficult season, Ashwin remains confident that CSK can bounce back. With smarter recruitment, fresh talent and a modern approach, the franchise has the resources to rebuild and challenge for the title once again.
