5 Big Players May Be Released by Chennai Super Kings:  Chennai Super Kings' performance in IPL 2026 has been mixed. The injury-plagued team has won six of their 13 matches and lost seven. To reach the playoffs, the team will need to win its final match, depending on the results of other teams.

5 Big Players May Be Released by Chennai Super Kings: The league stage of IPL 2026 has reached its climax, and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is currently in a unique phase of change. After 13 matches, the team has navigated a season marked by injury concerns, experimentation, and the emergence of new talent. They are virtually out of playoff contention. They will have to win their final league match and rely on the results of other teams. Meanwhile, discussions have begun about what changes the team should make for the next season.

Some experienced players may be on their way out before next season. Chennai has invested in players like Prashanth Veer, Kartik Sharma, Urvil Patel, and Sarfaraz Khan, and they will be keen to retain them. At the same time, the team may surprise with some tough decisions. Here, we highlight five players who could leave the team before next season's auction...

1. Mahendra Singh Dhoni

One of the biggest talking points of IPL 2026 has been MS Dhoni's physical absence from the playing XI. Struggling with persistent fitness issues and a hamstring injury, Dhoni has missed all 13 league matches so far. However, his influence remains undeniable. During the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 18th, Dhoni was seen in the dugout for the first time this season. He accepted the greetings from the crowd after the match and it is believed that he will no longer be a player in the team next season. He may remain with the Chennai Super Kings in a different role.

2. Spencer Johnson

Spencer Johnson, who was brought in as a replacement for Nathan Ellis after his injury, has had a heavy workload this season. The Australian left-arm fast bowler featured in two matches, primarily responsible for handling the high-pressure death overs. Although his pace regularly exceeded 130 km/h, he managed only one wicket overall.

3. Mukesh Choudhary

After a long injury layoff, Mukesh Choudhary has made a remarkable return to the CSK bowling attack. He has taken seven wickets in seven matches. His unwavering commitment to the team, despite personal hardship (the passing of his mother), has made him an inspirational player this season. He has been with the team for a long time and his performance has never been better.

4. Matthew Short

Australian all-rounder Matthew Short was selected to provide stability and explosive power in the middle order. Short scored 36 runs in two matches, with no half-century. His highest score was 34. He failed to perform as well as the team had hoped.

5. Matt Henry

New Zealand's Matt Henry played three matches this season. He didn't do much. He took just two wickets and conceded runs at an economy rate of 13. He wasn't able to bowl disciplinedly this season. Therefore, his chances of remaining with the team next year are considered unlikely.

 PC:Zee News