Former Chennai Super Kings star Suresh Raina believes the franchise should seriously consider targeting Sarfaraz Khan in the IPL 2026 mini-auction, saying the batter’s hot domestic form makes him a timely and valuable pick for a side known for backing players who suit its system and deliver under pressure.
Speaking at the TATA IPL 2026 auction hall, Raina emphasized that current form should carry more weight than mere reputation at the auction table, especially in a mini-auction environment. He drew comparisons with previous big-money purchases whose form didn’t immediately justify their price, while underscoring Sarfaraz’s confidence, range and readiness to contribute immediately.
“I think he is in great form. We have seen earlier that when Venkatesh Iyer was bought for a big sum, the form was not quite there. Sarfaraz, on the other hand, is batting really well now. You don’t get a player like that easily – the range of shots he plays, the confidence he has,” Raina said.
“The form that Sarfaraz is in, even if he plays four or six matches and wins you two matches, the 7 million will be fully justified. Chennai’s wicket is technically sound and if he fits into a system like CSK, where he focuses on winning matches, I think CSK will benefit greatly from his form,” he added.
Sarfaraz put himself on the radar
Sarfaraz strengthened his case in the run-up to the auction with a stunning knock for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League B match against Haryana, blasting 64 off just 25 balls with nine fours and three sixes. The shift, featuring ramps and bike shots, showed both flair and clarity and arrived at a crucial moment before the auction.
The 28-year-old is chasing a return to the IPL after going unsold in last season’s mega-auction and seeing out a tough 2025. He toured Australia with the Indian Test team without playing, was later dropped from the red-ball set-up and missed out on the India A squad despite considerable fitness work that saw him shed 17 kilos and overhaul his diet.
Now, Sarfaraz is firmly in form, amassing 256 runs from six innings in this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at an average of 64.00 and a strike rate of 182.85. He will feature in the opening batting lineup for the IPL 2026 auction along with Cameron Green, Prithvi Shaw, David Miller and Devon Conway at a base price of Rs 75 crore. He is believed to be being closely watched by several franchises.
Armed with the second-highest remaining purse of Rs 43.40 crore, CSK has the flexibility to move aggressively in Set 1. In the Star Sports IPL 2026 Mock Auction, Raina picked Sarfaraz for CSK at Rs 7 crore, a figure he feels is justified given the current form of the batter and the potential impact on the results of CSK’s setup.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
December 16, 2025
