Former India batter Mohammad Kaif has outlined the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) possible strategy for the upcoming IPL 2026 auction, making some bold predictions regarding their targets. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif revealed that CSK would look to rope in Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who was released by Punjab Kings (PBKS) after a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign.

Maxwell scored just 48 runs from six innings at a strike rate of 97.95, prompting PBKS to release him ahead of the new season. Kaif believes the decision was hasty, given Maxwell’s potential to turn games around single-handedly. “PBKS will need a fifth or sixth bowler. That was the only thing they lacked. They should not have released Maxwell. It was not too much of a loss at his price. He is such a player on whom you take a risk. He can win games if he gets going. If not, he even bowls well anyway,” remarked Kaif.

Alongside Maxwell, Kaif reckons CSK could also target South African star David Miller and West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell, both released by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) respectively. With no Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in the squad, Kaif believes CSK needs a power-hitter and finisher in the lower order as well as someone who can contribute as a spinner.

“CSK will go behind Maxwell. They can target Russell as well. There are good players they can go after. Maxwell, Miller, and Russell – they will definitely go after these three. There is no Jadeja so they need someone at five/six and a spinner, so Maxwell could fit in,” Kaif explained.

Kaif also discussed CSK’s spin options for IPL 2026, noting the importance of wrist spinners. He suggested that Indian wrist spinner Ravi Bishnoi could be a prime target for CSK. “Bishnoi could go to CSK. I think it will be difficult for Zampa as franchises are backing Indian players. Rahul Chahar may not get a lot of money. Karn Sharma could do well, maybe he is ahead of Chahar. He could go to SRH as they released Zampa. I am looking at him. Theekshana and Hasaranga also got released. So foreign spinners may not attract a lot of money, unless you are someone like Narine,” he commented.

With both Jadeja and Ashwin absent from their squad, CSK will need to revamp their spin department ahead of IPL 2026. The franchise will enter the auction with a substantial purse of ₹43.40 crore, giving them the flexibility to pursue marquee players.

Kaif further emphasized that Punjab Kings’ decision to release Maxwell might have been premature. PBKS had acquired Maxwell for ₹4.20 crore ahead of the 2025 season, and Kaif believes the franchise should have retained him as a reliable all-rounder and risk-taker, especially at that price point.

Statistically, Maxwell has picked up 41 wickets in the IPL at an average of 34.46 and an economy rate of 8.29. In overall T20s, he boasts 194 scalps at an average of 29.79 and an economy of 7.86.

Stay tuned for all the latest on the IPL 2025 and 2026 auctions, including live scores, match schedules, team news, and squad updates for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, and PBKS.
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