"You will not be able to manage with Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad" - Aakash Chopra on CSK's requirements in IPL 2026 auction

Former India player Aakash Chopra has opined that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) would need to acquire a spinner at the IPL 2026 auction after Ravichandran Ashwin's departure. He highlighted that the franchise won't be able to manage just with Ravindra Jadeja, if the all-rounder is retained, and Noor Ahmad as their two prominent spinners.

CSK will be without Ashwin's services in IPL 2026 as the veteran off-spinner has retired from the prestigious league. Certain reports suggest that Jadeja might be traded to the Rajasthan Royals (RR), with the five-time champions getting Sanju Samson in return.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, 'Aakash Chopra,' the former India opener reckoned that CSK would need to onboard at least one spinner at the IPL 2026 auction.

"They might need a spinner now because Ashwin has left. So you will have to get someone in his place because you will not be able to manage with Ravindra Jadeja and Noor Ahmad. You will need more spinners," he said.

Chopra added that the Chennai-based franchise might also need to bolster its seam-bowling department.

"Matheesha Pathirana's stocks have gone slightly down, but Khaleel Ahmed's have gone up. They have Anshul Kamboj, Nathan Ellis and Mukesh Choudhary as well. So they have bowlers, but you may want to add a bit more to that as well," he observed.

With 24 scalps at an economy rate of 8.16 in 14 innings, Noor Ahmad was CSK's highest wicket-taker in IPL 2025. Ravindra Jadeja managed only 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.56 in 14 innings this season.

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"You still need 1, if not 2, fairly good batters" - Aakash Chopra on CSK's other requirement in IPL 2026 auction

Devon Conway might be one of the batters released by CSK ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. [P/C: iplt20.com]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra noted that the Chennai Super Kings would need to acquire a few good batters, especially if Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar and Devon Conway are released.

"With Ruturaj (Gaikwad) returning, opening and captaincy get set. There isn't much to think about there. However, if you let Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar and Devon Conway go, although you have Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja in the lower-middle order, you still need one, if not two, fairly good batters, in which you need one or two overseas ones as well," he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator added that CSK need to strengthen their overseas batting contingent.

"When I see their overseas recruits, especially in terms of batting, Dewald Brevis, yes, but what about the rest? Only Rachin Ravindra is there, who can play as a proper batter. Then you see bowlers. They have Noor Ahmad, Matheesha Pathirana, Nathan Ellis, Jamie Overton and Sam Curran. None of them is a batter. If you release Devon Conway, you need another batter," Chopra reasoned.

Aakash Chopra noted that it would be great if the Chennai Super Kings manage to acquire Sanju Samson from the Rajasthan Royals. To conclude, the analyst highlighted that last season's bottom-placed team needs a minimum of two, if not three, batters, at least one spinner, and a couple of fast bowlers.

Edited by Kartik Iyer