Ex-India Star Tells CSK To Take Bold Call Over Rs 14.20 Crore All-Rounder For IPL 2027: "One More Season"

We are now in the final stages of the Indian Premier League (IPL) retention and trade window, ahead of the deadline on November 17 and the IPL 2027 mini-auction on December 16. Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) recently grabbed headlines by conducting a four-player trade with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), acquiring all-rounders Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards for pacers Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has urged CSK to take another bold call in their retentions.

In a video by Cricinfo, Irfan Pathan stated that he would choose to retain 20-year-old all-rounder Prashant Veer, who was bought by CSK for Rs 14.20 crore last year.

Prashant Veer was one of two players for whom CSK shelled out Rs 14.20 crore in the IPL 2026 auction, the other being wicket-keeper batter Kartik Sharma. Kartik impressed in the latter stages of IPL 2026 with a couple of half-centuries, and is likely to be retained.

However, Prashant Veer's future is up in the air after he received very few chances with both bat and ball. Nevertheless, Irfan opined that he should be retained despite the hefty price tag.

"I know he's expensive but I wouldn't mind him seeing one more season because he's got the all-round skill. Retain," Irfan said on Veer.

Irfan, however, stated that CSK should release leg-spinner Rahul Chahar, who was bought for Rs 5.2 crore.

KKR: The Green-Pathirana dilemma

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were the heavy-spenders in the IPL 2026 auction, shelling out a combined Rs 43.20 crore for Australian all-rounder Cameron Green and Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana.

A year later, however, the franchise faces a big dilemma over whether to retain both players.

Pathirana, bought for Rs 18 crore, has been plagued by injuries in recent months, and bowled only eight balls for KKR in IPL 2026.

Green, bought for Rs 25.20 crore, played every match for KKR in IPL 2026, but there are question marks over his availability for IPL 2027 due to Australia's packed international schedule.

Irfan Pathan stated that KKR should retain Cameron Green due to his "rare" all-round skillset, but let go of Pathirana due to his fitness issues.