Chennai Super Kings have added Sarfaraz Khan to their squad in the accelerated round of the IPL 2026 mini-auction, ending the batter’s brief stint of uncertainty after he initially went unsold in Abu Dhabi.
Sarfaraz had entered the auction in the capped batters set with a base price of Rs 75 lakh, but found no takers in the early rounds as franchises prioritised overseas options and role-specific requirements. However, CSK moved in during the accelerated phase to secure the Mumbai batter, backing his red-hot domestic form and finishing ability.
Timely reminder before the auction
Less than an hour before auction proceedings began in Abu Dhabi, Sarfaraz delivered a strong statement with the bat. He smashed a 15-ball half-century for Mumbai against Rajasthan in a Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Super League Group B match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. The knock underlined his power-hitting range and came at a moment when franchises were finalising their auction strategies.
Earlier this month, Sarfaraz had also announced his return to T20 form in style by scoring his maiden T20 hundred. He remained unbeaten on 100 off 47 balls against Assam in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, striking eight fours and seven sixes to help Mumbai register a dominant 98-run victory. Notably, it was his first T20 appearance in more than two years.
From unsold to CSK colours
Despite consistent domestic performances and a promising start to his Test career, Sarfaraz has struggled to gain sustained backing in the IPL. He was unsold at the previous full IPL auction, and the pattern initially repeated at the IPL 2026 auction before CSK stepped in later.
While form was clearly not the concern, factors such as team balance, overseas combinations, and role clarity appeared to influence early auction dynamics. CSK’s decision to pick him up in the accelerated round reflects a calculated move to add Indian middle-order depth at a later stage of the auction.
Fresh opportunity at Chennai
Sarfaraz’s signing gives him a fresh opportunity at a franchise known for backing domestic talent and clearly defined roles. With Chennai Super Kings continuing to fine-tune their squad composition, the Mumbai batter will be keen to convert his domestic momentum into impact performances if given opportunities in IPL 2026.
For Sarfaraz Khan, the journey from going unsold to being picked by CSK within the same auction serves as a reminder that, in the IPL, opportunities can arrive quickly—especially when form does the talking.
