What CSK must learn from RCB [Source: AP, AFP]There is a saying in Cricket that before the match, it is played on the auction table; the one who wins at the auction table performs better on the ground. This is exactly what the IPL champions RCB have done in the last two auctions.They built a strong core during the IPL 2025 mega auction, and ahead of the ongoing season, RCB management filled in the last remaining loopholes to further strengthen their squad.In previous years, RCB management often struggled at the auction table, as they consistently focused on strengthening the batting department and overlooked their biggest weak link: the bowling. The result- they failed to deliver the goods and three times, fell short of winning the IPL.However, in the last two auctions, RCB have played smartly, and as a result, were victorious last season as the side ended their 18 years wait for winning an IPL title.CSK becoming RCB of 2017-2019While RCB have started to do well at the auction table, and built a strong core for the next three to four years, their biggest rival, CSK, has done the opposite.Since the start of the IPL in 2008, the MS Dhoni-led CSK was almost flawless during the mega and mini auction, as they knew which players they had to target and which players to neglect. The result- five IPL trophies in their bag, the joint most alongside the Mumbai Indians.It’s like the roles have reversed and CSK have become the RCB of 2017-19, when the franchise used to invest in players who were not needed in their squad, and often neglected their weaknesses. From 2017-19, RCB finished 8th, 6th, and 8th in the points tally, and it reflected how poorly they performed in the mega and mini auctions.Suddenly, it seems CSK have swapped fortunes with RCB as the five time IPL champions have failed to deliver the goods in the last two IPL campaigns.However, for this downfall, the CSK players shouldn't be the ones to be blamed; instead, the fault lies in the think-tank (Fleming, and senior authorities).CSK buys two unproven stars for 28.4 croresPlayersSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRolesSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TablePriceSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TablePrashant VeerSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAll-rounderSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table14.2 croresSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableKartik SharmaSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableKeeper-batterSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table14.2 croresSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(CSK spent 28.2 crores on unproven stars in mini auction)In the IPL 2026 mini auction, CSK sprung a surprise as they spent a whopping 28.20 crores on acquiring two unproven Indian stars in Kartik Sharma, and Prashant Veer. The two are highly talented, but are clearly raw at the moment, having never played in the IPL before.Heading into the mini auction, CSK had a budget of 43.40 crores, and they had plenty of loopholes to fill in. While the team strengthened their batting, the problem lay in their bowling department. The franchise released Matheesha Pathirana before the mini auction, and instead of going for a like-for-like death bowlers specialist, the team spent money on two young guns.Moreover, after buying Prashant Veer, the franchise had no idea how to utilise him as three matches into the season, and the all-rounder has not bowled a single delivery in the IPL 2026. In three matches, Kartik Sharma has struggled for runs, as the IPL is too big a platform for the youngster.Also Read: CSK Legend Attacked By RCB Fans For Tim David ControversyRCB struck masterstroke within 28.35 croresRCB’s management, including Dinesh Karthik, Andy Flower, and Mo Bobat, had a clear plan- to build a team that is not dependent on one player, and the IPL 2025 mega auction and the IPL 2026 mini auction are proof of that ideology.PlayersSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRoleSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TablePriceSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TablePhil SaltSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableKeeper-batterSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table11.50 croreSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableTim DavidSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableBatterSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table3 croreSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDevdutt PadikkalSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableBatterSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table2 croreSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableJacob BethellSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableBatterSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table2.60 croreSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableJacob DuffySelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableBowlerSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table2 croreSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableRomario ShepherdSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAll-rounderSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table1.50 croreSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableKrunal PandyaSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAll-rounderSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table5.75 croreSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(RCB bought seven players for less than the price of two CSK stars)While CSK spent more than 28 crores to buy two raw players from the domestic circuit, RCB played it smart, and they invested in proven international stars to fill in their loopholes.Before IPL 2025, RCB’s biggest loophole was their inability to finish off games. For that, the franchise invested in Romario Shepherd and Tim David. By now, we all know what David and Shepherd can do in the death overs.They also strengthened the Indian core by buying Devdutt Padikkal, and Krunal Pandya, and both players played a key role in RCB’s IPL title.Conclusion90% of the IPL battle is won at the auction table, and in the last few auctions, CSK has gone downhill with their strategies. Instead of working to fix their weaknesses, the franchise went after two unproven stars, and spent 28.20 crores on them.Unlike them, RCB learnt from their past mistakes, and they spent almost the same amount to buy not one, not two, not three, but seven proven match-winners.Also Read: Heinrich Klaasen Openly Calls Out SRH Teammates For Failure In IPL 2026
