Former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) player turned commentator Aakash Chopra has said that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) changed their philosophy at the IPL 2026 auction as well. He added that the CSK, who used to bank on experience, spent huge sums to acquire two uncapped Indians as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “Chennai have changed their philosophy. There used to be an era when they said they wanted only experience, that T20 is not a young man’s game, and an experienced player’s sport. They made a slight pivot last year. Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel and Dewald Brevis had come. This time they asked us to watch the sequel. They spent ₹14.20 crore on Kartik Sharma. They spent ₹14.20 crore on Prashant Veer. They spent ₹28.40 crore on two players. This is a huge pivot. I have never seen such a pivot in IPL history. They have changed the ideology and DNA.”

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However, Aakash Chopra said that he was extremely surprised by the Chennai Super Kings’ decision not to buy spinner Ravi Bishnoi and not to show any interest in acquiring Venkatesh Iyer as well.

“Eventually, they took Rahul Chahar. They didn’t take Ravi Bishnoi. I was very surprised. They didn’t think about Venkatesh Iyer, and I was very surprised. They didn’t think about Liam Livingstone, David Miller, or any other overseas lower-middle-order batter. I was slightly surprised by that as well. However, CSK’s biggest story at this moment is how they have pivoted from experienced to youth. They have gone from Gen-Best to Gen-Next. They are focusing on ‘Next’ now,” Aakash Chopra concluded.