West Indies left-arm orthodox spinner Akeal Hosein was picked up by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs 2 crore at the ongoing IPL 2026 mini-auction, marking his return to the league after multiple unsold outings in previous auction cycles.
Hosein entered the auction with a base price of Rs 2 crore and attracted interest from CSK, who secured his services to strengthen their spin-bowling depth.
Limited IPL exposure so far
Hosein has had limited opportunities in the IPL, having played just one match in the league so far. He made his lone appearance for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during the IPL 2023 season, where he featured against Delhi Capitals. In that match, he returned figures of 1 for 40 and also chipped in with an unbeaten 16 with the bat.
He was bought by SRH for Rs 1 crore in the 2023 auction but was released ahead of the 2024 season. Hosein subsequently went unsold in the 2024 and 2025 auctions before finally finding a buyer again in IPL 2026.
Strong international credentials
Despite his limited IPL record, Hosein is a key member of the West Indies white-ball setup, particularly valued for his economical powerplay bowling and ability to contribute as a lower-order batter. He has also delivered consistent performances in other T20 leagues, including the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Role at CSK
By signing Hosein for Rs 2 crore, CSK add a left-arm spin option who offers control in the early overs and tactical flexibility depending on conditions. The move gives Hosein another opportunity to establish himself in the IPL after a prolonged wait.
The signing comes as CSK continue to fine-tune their squad composition during the IPL 2026 mini-auction, which remains in progress.
