Chennai Super Kings are weighing a release of Prashant Veer before the November 15 retention deadline, with the December 16 mini-auction in Goa offering a chance to buy him back at a lower price.
Chennai Super Kings are considering releasing left-arm spinning all-rounder Prashant Veer before the November 15 retention deadline, with the franchise eyeing a potential repurchase at the December 16 mini-auction in Goa. The 20-year-old Uttar Pradesh cricketer was bought by CSK at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi for Rs 14.2 crore.
Across 6 matches and 5 innings with the bat, Veer managed 90 runs with a highest score of 43 against RCB, and he failed to take a single wicket throughout the season. Releasing him would allow CSK to recover a significant portion of his salary against their cap.
As reported by Cricbuzz, CSK currently hold a remaining purse of Rs 2.4 crore. With the annual salary cap increment of Rs 5 crore factored in, releasing Veer would raise their available funds to Rs 7.4 crore, giving the franchise considerably more room to operate at the mini-auction. The strategy of releasing and attempting to buy back a player at a lower price is a calculated risk, but one CSK appear willing to take given Veer's underwhelming returns.
Franchises across the league have until November 15 to announce their retentions and releases ahead of the Goa mini-auction on December 16.
How did Kartik Sharma fare for CSK in IPL 2026?
While Veer struggled, fellow IPL 2026 auction recruit Kartik Sharma delivered far more consistent returns for a different franchise. The 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Rajasthan, who was also purchased for Rs 14.2 crore at the Abu Dhabi auction, played 11 matches for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026 and accumulated 295 runs at an average of 32.77, with a highest score of 71 against LSG.
Both Veer and Sharma were among the headline buys of the Abu Dhabi auction, yet their IPL 2026 journeys diverged sharply. Sharma's numbers underline why CSK's decision to potentially part ways with Veer carries weight: the franchise will be looking for better returns on any future investment at the mini-auction.
Will Punjab Kings trade Marco Jansen ahead of the mini-auction?
Cricbuzz further reported that Punjab Kings have moved to dismiss speculation surrounding South African all-rounder Marco Jansen, with sources from the franchise dismissing reports of a planned trade. PBKS purchased Jansen for Rs 7 crore at the 2025 mega auction.
Jansen's IPL 2026 numbers were mixed. He took 9 wickets across 12 matches but conceded at an economy rate of over 10, and his bowling average exceeded 50. With the bat, he contributed 51 runs from 5 innings. However, his Test credentials and current form remain formidable, being adjudged Player of the Series in a recently concluded three-Test series against Australia and currently sits at No. 1 in the ICC Test all-rounder rankings.
Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn recently described him in glowing terms, labelling him 'the best cricketer in the world'. Whether PBKS retain him or explore options at the mini-auction remains to be seen, but the franchise's public stance is that no trade is being planned.