Kris Srikkanth has suggested Chennai Super Kings release wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma before the IPL 2027 auction and repurchase him at ₹5.5 crore.
Former India opener Kris Srikkanth has recommended that Chennai Super Kings release several players ahead of the IPL 2027 mini-auction scheduled for December 16 in Goa. The list includes Matthew Short, Zak Foulkes, Prashant Veer and Matt Henry. Srikkanth made these observations on YouTube following CSK's recent player swap with Sunrisers Hyderabad announced on November 5, 2026.
The most striking part of Srikkanth's analysis concerns 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma. CSK acquired Sharma for ₹14.2 crore at the IPL 2026 auction, a valuation Srikkanth believes the market will not sustain. He argued that releasing the young player and purchasing him back at a lower price represents a financially prudent strategy for the franchise.
"Matthew Short, Zak Foulkes, Prashant Veer, and Matt Henry are surely out. If I was CSK, I would release Kartik Sharma also and try to get him back at a lesser price. You can buy him back for 5.5 crores as no one else will take him, given their stocks," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Sharma's performance in IPL 2026 showed promise despite the high acquisition cost. The young batter accumulated 295 runs across 11 matches at an average of 32.78, establishing himself as a developing talent within CSK's squad. Srikkanth's confidence that Sharma would not attract higher bids reflects his assessment of current market dynamics for the player.
Why Srikkanth insists CSK must retain Brevis?
While recommending Sharma's release, Srikkanth was emphatic about protecting one key player in CSK's middle order. He identified South African batter Brevis as non-negotiable in the franchise's squad planning, emphasising the player's match-winning ability and importance to the batting lineup.
"I won't let go of Brevis. He's a one-man match-winner. Axar Patel coming to CSK is a good idea, but not at the cost of Brevis," Srikkanth said.
"Brevis is a big reason why CSK's batting lineup looks strong. So why should they let go of him? I won't sacrifice Brevis for sure," he added.
Brevis arrived at CSK as a mid-season replacement during the 2025 season and has since become the cornerstone of the franchise's middle-order batting strategy. His impact on the team's composition has been significant, making him a player Srikkanth views as essential to CSK's future plans.
What bigger plan does CSK have?
Srikkanth suggested that CSK's recent player movements indicate a larger strategic overhaul beyond immediate squad adjustments. He hinted that the franchise is working towards rebuilding its fast bowling unit with fresh options, viewing the November 5 trade with scepticism.
"There is definitely some other bigger plan CSK have. They'll try to have a fresh set of fast bowlers. Because just this trade is more confusing than convincing," Srikkanth said.
"Just this trade was won by SRH. Their pace attack has become deadly. But for CSK, they obviously have something up their sleeve," he added.
The November 5 swap sent Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards to Chennai in exchange for Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis joining Sunrisers Hyderabad. Srikkanth's assessment reflected his view that the trade favoured SRH, with the Hyderabad franchise significantly strengthening its pace bowling unit through the exchange.