CSK acquired their services for INR 14.20 crore each.
As expected, the likes of Cameron Green and Matheesha Pathirana triggered a bidding war, with KKR eventually acquiring their services for INR 25.20 crore and INR 18 crore respectively.
However, it was the uncapped duo of Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma who caught everyone’s attention with their staggering price tags. CSK signed both of them for INR 14.20 crore each.
After securing the deal, the 20-year-old Prashant – an all-rounder from Uttar Pradesh – said he can’t wait to meet and play with the legendary MS Dhoni.
“I’m happy to be joining Chennai Super Kings because MS Dhoni is there," Prashant said on Match Centre Live Auction 2026. “The way he bats in the lower order, his mindset, the way he talks, how he controls his body and stays so focused — there is so much to learn from him. Batting in the lower order is not easy, but what he has done is special. Even if I can learn four or five percent from him, it will be very useful for me."
Rajasthan wicketkeeper Kartik also echoed similar sentiments, stating that he is very excited to have bagged a chance to play alongside Dhoni.
“For the first time, I will be playing with Mahi bhai and I am very excited that I will get the chance to play with him and learn a lot from him. And today, for the first time, I was picked in the auction," Kartik said while speaking to the broadcasters.
The 19-year-old went on to reveal that he could not hold back tears after seeing the final price.
“I was so happy that I ended up crying. When my bidding started, I was scared, thinking maybe I won’t get picked today. But as soon as the bidding began, it just kept going on and on," Kartik stated.
“At that moment, I could not hold back my tears. Even after the bidding ended, I kept crying. Everyone was dancing, I was crying, I was that happy. No words to describe how I am feeling," he remarked.
CSK’s squad for IPL 2026 season: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Noor Ahmad, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Khaleel Ahmed, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Sarfaraz Khan, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Zak Foulkes, Akeal Hosein, Rahul Chahar, Matt Henry.