India, Dec. 17 -- Chennai Super Kings invested an unprecedented INR 32.30 crore in wicket-keeper batters for the IPL 2026 season. A figure that tells the story of a franchise preparing for life after MS Dhoni. With the legendary keeper batter retained for what appears to be the twilight of his career, CSK's aggressive keeper acquisitions represent calculated succession planning rather than mere squad depth.

The numbers are striking. CSK acquired 19-year-old Kartik Sharma for INR 14.20 crore, joint most expensive uncapped Indian player in IPL history, during the IPL 2026 mini-auction. Before that, they traded Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to the Rajasthan Royals in exchange for Sanju Samson, valued at INR 18 crore.

Combined with the ret...