Mohammad Kaif names players CSK can target in IPL 2026 auction

Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif believes Chennai Super Kings can target spinning all-rounders like Liam Livingstone and Glenn Maxwell in the IPL 2026 auction. While Livingstone was released by RCB, Maxwell was let go by Punjab Kings. The Chennai pitch is known to assist the spinners and these two players can add to CSK’s strength. 

Meanwhile, Maxwell had failed to deliver the goods in the previous season of the tournament, managing only 48 runs in six innings at an average of eight and a strike rate of 97.95.

On the other hand, Livingstone scored 122 runs in eight innings of IPL 2025 at an average of 16 and a strike rate of 133.33. The England International scalped two wickets in five innings of the previous season.

“Livingstone will also suit Chennai. He could become their sixth bowler who bats at five. Dhoni does not come up the order now, so they need batters. CSK have a history of batting deep and looking at all-rounders. Overton played because he can bat, same with Curran. Bravo played so many years as he was an all-rounder, Albie Morkel as well. So they will go behind the likes of Livingstone and Maxwell. Maxwell’s value may have gone down but I feel he will do well if he goes there. He can bowl off-spin with the new ball. He has done it for RCB too. At a ground like Chennai, his bowling will have more value,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.

Kaif reckons India can also go after South African batter David Miller in the auction. Miller can help CSK in adding the finishing touches.

“I feel CSK could go after David Miller. There is Abhinav Manohar as well for the number five/six slot. They had the likes of Rahul Tripathi and Vijay Shankar who did not do well. So they will look at guys who can fill in here. They already have some fixed players. Samson and Mhatre will open, Gaikwad at three, Brevis at four, Dube at five, Russell at six if they can get him or Maxwell. Dhoni is there too so they have batters. They will need a spinner, a bowling all-rounder and might also look at a good opener if possible,” he reflected.

CSK had ended the previous season as the wooden spooners and they would want to bounce back strongly in the next season.