NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has suggested three potential replacements for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as the franchise faces the reported departures of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals. The players Ashwin believes CSK could target ahead of the IPL 2026 auction in December include Nitish Rana, Venkatesh Iyer, and Cameron Green.Jadeja and Curran have reportedly given their consent to CSK to proceed with the final phase of their trade move to Rajasthan Royals, creating key gaps in the Super Kings’ lineup that will need to be filled ahead of the new season.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin proposed that Rajasthan’s Rana or Kolkata Knight Riders’ vice-captain Iyer could be ideal candidates for the No. 3 batting position, while Australian all-rounder Green could bolster the middle order.“CSK can really strengthen this side. The moment Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja have gone there (to RR), I see Nitish Rana coming into the auction. So, Nitish Rana and Venkatesh Iyer will 100% be on the radar of CSK. If Samson and Ruturaj open, it’ll be the best thing to happen. At 3, they’ll look at Venkatesh Iyer or Nitish Rana. Brevis and Dube will be at 4 and 5, and then they’ll try to insert Cameron Green at 6 because recently he has batted in the middle order for Australia,” Ashwin explained.“Venkatesh Iyer has played one or two good innings in Chepauk. However, he is a replica of Shivam Dube with long levers down the ground. But he can play the sweep and reverse sweep. Nevertheless, someone like Nitish Rana, who is shorter, can access the square boundaries and use the bounce, and is an attractive option. There is a great chance he will come to CSK,” Ashwin added.While Green is expected to be available in the auction, CSK must wait until November 15 to find out whether Rana and Iyer will be retained by their current franchises.With Sanju Samson’s expected arrival, CSK’s batting lineup could see several combinations, providing flexibility for him and Ruturaj Gaikwad to interchange positions at No. 3.Young opener Ayush Mahtre has already made an impression in IPL 2025, scoring 208 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 185.71, including a standout knock of 94.CSK also have overseas options in Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway, both established top-order batters who add further depth to the squad.
