3 reasons why CSK must not release Sam Curran ahead of IPL 2026 auction

#Offers experience, stability, and a leadership role

Having played 300 T20s, Sam Curran holds a wealth of experience. The left-handed batter has amassed 4,825 runs in 245 innings at a strike rate of 137.66 with the help of one century and 28 fifties. The left-arm pacer is equally brilliant with the ball, bagging 291 wickets in 289 innings, including four five-wicket hauls.

Additionally, Curran has played in several overseas T20 leagues like ILT20, SA20, and The Hundred. Earlier this year, he won The Hundred 2025 trophy with Oval Invincibles.

The Northampton-born player has also been a regular in the IPL, playing 64 matches in the T20 League. The southpaw has amassed 997 runs in 53 innings, comprising six half-centuries. The medium pacer has also bagged 59 wickets at an economy rate of 9.73. Notably, he has spent three seasons with CSK in Chepauk, including his breakthrough season in 2020/21, where he bagged 13 wickets and scored 186 runs.

With Jamie Overton as the only notable option from the 2025 squad, there is a dearth of quality seam all-rounder at CSK. Thus, Curran can be a regular feature among the four overseas players in the playing XI.

The English all-rounder also offers a leadership role within the group. He has led Punjab Kings (PBKS) to five wins in 11 games during the 2023-24 season.

With uncertainty around MS Dhoni’s future, Curran can be the stand-in captain if Ruturaj Gaikwad misses a few games due to a niggle or injury. Notably, Gaikwad was ruled out of IPL 2025 due to an elbow fracture, forcing Dhoni to take over mid-season.