Chennai Super Kings (CSK), traditionally known for placing their trust in experienced campaigners, charted a fresh course at the IPL 2026 mini-auction on Tuesday, December 16, making a strong statement by investing heavily in young, uncapped talent.
The five-time champions made headlines by splurging ₹14.2 crore each on two teenage prospects, 19-year-old Uttar Pradesh left-arm spinner and power-hitter Prashant Veer, and 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma. The signings made the duo the joint-most expensive uncapped Indian players in IPL auction history.
Also Read: Record-Breakers: Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma become IPL's costliest uncapped players
CSK’s youth-focused strategy has fuelled speculation around MS Dhoni’s future with the franchise. Last season, Dhoni stepped in as captain after Ruturaj Gaikwad was ruled out midway through the tournament, but former India and CSK batter Robin Uthappa believes the signals are clear.
“I think the writing is on the wall. This is clearly going to be MS Dhoni’s last season no more conjecture or speculation,” Uthappa told JioHotstar. “This year, he will be well and truly done.”
Uthappa added that CSK’s recent recruitment pattern reflects a long-term vision centred on talent development and continuity. “When you look at the investments in youth and the kind of teams they’ve picked since last year, it’s clear they are focused on developing and retaining talent within the franchise,” he said.
CSK further bolstered their squad by signing 26-year-old leg-spinner Rahul Chahar and 28-year-old middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan, reinforcing both depth and balance. Uthappa believes the approach makes complete sense.
“If you can develop another Ravindra Jadeja with the kind of mentorship MS Dhoni provides, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s leadership, why wouldn’t you?” he remarked.
The former opener also expressed confidence that Dhoni will remain closely involved with CSK even after retiring as a player. “We all know that if he’s not playing, he will be mentoring the side. This season, he’ll likely operate as a mentor-cum-player. He’s already thinking from that perspective, which is why they’re bringing in players like these,” Uthappa concluded.
