Ravichandran Ashwin Identifies RCB Batter As Potential Target for CSK at IPL 2026 Auction

Former India international Ravichandran Ashwin suggested Chennai Super Kings (CSK) go for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert.

The New Zealand keeper-batter has been in great form in the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL 2025) by scoring 277 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 178.71. Seifert recently smashed a 40-ball century in the tournament to register his name in the history book as the joint-fastest century in CPL.

Ashwin, who recently retired from IPL as well, opined that the 30-year-old can be a good fit for CSK for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). The five-time IPL-winning franchise has the tendency to cash in for experienced overseas cricketers who can bat in the upper front of their batting lineup; additionally, their love for Kiwis is also well known.

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"If you look at CSK’s history, they like to go with an experienced player in the opening slot," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

A keeper in place of MS Dhoni

With the experience of playing over 280 T20 games and scoring 6,465 runs in total, Seifert's stat card is looking well enough to represent Chennai Super Kings. Last season (IPL 2025), Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway failed to play according to the expectations. If they decide to release one of the batters, then, automatically, there will be a vacant place for an overseas cricketer in the team. As an opener in 2025, Tim has scored 1,047 runs in 31 innings at an average of 37.39 and a strike rate of 159.84, including one century and 4 fifties across T20 leagues and international T20Is.

Another thing is that CSK needs someone who can serve the team for a long time with the wicketkeeping gloves. As of now, Tim Seifert is looking for the best possible option, someone who can be the best possible cricketer who can fill up all those gaps.