Chennai Super Kings (CSK) shocked many cricket fans and analysts with their picks in the IPL 2026 auction. The two-time champions revealed a new plan of combining youth with expertise in their selection, showcasing a drastic change in their approach to cricket. Interestingly, an aspect that caught everyone’s attention is a rare observation made by former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund. A Wicket-Keeper From Each Decade Mukund added that CSK have now got a wicketkeeper in all age groups: “Teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s.” Kartik Sharma (19 years of age) is the representation of the Urvil Patel is in his 20s. Sanju Samson is in his 30s. MS Dhoni, the most senior among them, is in his 40s. Mukund humorously pointed out that almost 30% of the CSK investment in the players has been in wicketkeepers alone; however, he emphasized that this reflects a new pattern of thinking in CSK as well. A Radical Shift in CSK’s Planning Strategy The CSK have historically had seasoned players and a tried and tested formula. The reason for their success was consistency and a well-defined role for their players. However, Mukund feels that this year’s side reflects a ‘tectonic shift’ in their approach to the game. The reason behind the changeover is that the team looks “very different” compared to the typical CSK lineup, as per him. The team would have definitely taken a lot of time to plan for this transition since they are working towards building a “new core” for the future years, as he said. Target Youth and Future Stars At the Abu Dhabi auction, CSK splurged on the youth. The major picks at the auction include Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, who were picked for the highest amount uncapped players have been bought for in the history of the IPL at ₹14.20 crores. This is an indication that CSK believe in restructuring a new team that is future-ready. They also recruited international players, as well as all-rounders and bowlers to complement their team. A Full Reset for the Yellow Army Mukund feels that a fresh lineup means a complete reset for the CSK. Though the team has experience in the name of players like Dhoni, Samson, and Dube, the side looks more flexible. The newcomers also bring diversity - from power hitters to pace bowlers to all-rounders - to the league, making the franchise stronger than ever. With a captain like Ruturaj Gaikwad at the helm and the presence of MSD for support and guidance, CSK look to be set for a new beginning. CSK Squad for IPL 2026 Anshul Kamboj, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton, Khaleel Ahmed, MS Dhoni, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Nood Ahmad, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Urvil Patel, Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Dasun Shanaka, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes.