Rajasthan Royals (RR) released spin bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. RR traded seasoned keeper-batter Sanju Samson to CSK in exchange for all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. The franchise also released Fazalhaq Farooqi, Akash Madhwal and Maheesh Theekshana, while batter Nitish Rana was traded to Delhi Capitals (DC). Hasaranga played 11 matches for RR in IPL 2025 and had a comparatively underwhelming season. The leg spinner picked up 11 wickets at an average of 33. 72 and an economy rate of 9. 04, with a best of 4-35. The 28-year-old did not get too many chances to bat and scored just nine runs in five innings. Hasaranga was purchased by RR at the IPL 2025 mega auction for ₹5. 25 crore. The Sri Lankan cricketer has the experience of 37 IPL games in which he has claimed 46 scalps at an average of 24. 32, with one five-fer and two four-fers. In this feature, we look at three teams that could target Hasaranga at the auction. Chennai Super Kings CSK traded Jadeja to RR ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, thus ending their long association with the star cricketer. Jadeja played exactly 200 matches for the Chennai franchise between 2012 and 2025, claiming 152 wickets at an economy rate of 7. 76. With the bat, the left-handed batter contributed 2, 354 runs at an average of 28. 02 and a strike rate of 137. 25. If we look at the all-round options in the CSK camp following the exits of Jadeja and Curran, they have the likes of Shivam Dube and Jamie Overton, who offer the option of medium pace. Chennai, however, are clearly missing a quality spin bowling all-rounder. It will be very difficult for them to replace someone of the caliber of Jadeja. However, Hasaranga can be a suitable replacement. Following retentions and releases, CSK have a handsome purse of ₹43. 40 crore to spend at the IPL 2026 auction. They can fill up a maximum of four overseas slots. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Hasaranga features among their overseas auction buys. Royal Challengers Bengaluru On expected lines, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have retained the core of their squad for IPL 2026. If we look at the all-round options in their squad following retentions and releases, they have Krunal Pandya, who was the Player of the Match in the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings (PBKS). Romario Shepherd can also contribute with both bat and ball. RCB, however, released star batting all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who had a below par IPL 2025 season. Purchased by the Bengaluru franchise for ₹8. 75 crore at the mega auction, the England cricketer managed only 112 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 133. 33. With the ball, he picked up two wickets. RCB can think of Hasaranga to fulfil the role that Livingstone failed to perform. He can be used as a floater in the batting order and has the ability to clear the field. With the ball, he is a proven performer for Sri Lanka. Hasaranga also claimed 26 scalps for RCB in IPL 2022. The franchise have a purse of ₹16. 40 crore, with two overseas slots left. They could target Hasaranga as one of the overseas buys. Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL 2024 runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) released leg spinners Adam Zampa and Rahul Chahar ahead of the mini-auction, while seasoned pacer Mohammad Shami was traded to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Looking at their list of retained players, SRH have Pat Cummins and Harshal Patel in the pace bowling department. However, they need to boost their spin resources. Rookie leg spinner Zeeshan Ansari had a couple of good outings for the franchise in IPL 2025. In 10 matches in his debut season in the T20 league, he claimed six wickets at an economy rate of 9. 84, with a best of 3-42. Zampa played only two matches for SRH in IPL 2025 as the franchise could not fit him into the XI regularly. Hasaranga’s addition to the Hyderabad squad can bolster the team’s thin spin resources. The Lankan spinner was purchased by SRH in IPL 2024, but missed the season due to injury. The franchise have a purse of ₹25. 50 crore for the IPL 2026 auction, with two overseas slots left. Hasaranga can fit in one of them.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/3-teams-target-wanindu-hasaranga-ipl-2026-auction-ft-csk
