Why Sarfaraz Khan Was a Better Pick Than Abhinav Manohar for CSK

Sarfaraz Khan returns to IPL with Chennai Super Kings for INR 75 lakh after strong T20 performance. Find out who else went unsold.

Sarfaraz Khan’s return to the Indian Premier League was confirmed after the Chennai Super Kings signed him for his base price of INR 75 lakh during the accelerated round of the IPL 2026 mini-auction on December 16. The right-handed batter had gone unsold in the opening round but eventually found a buyer, marking his comeback to the tournament after a gap of three seasons.

CSK’s decision was influenced by Sarfaraz’s impressive run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, where he was in outstanding form. He scored 329 runs across seven innings, averaging 65.80 while striking at an exceptional rate of 203.39, numbers that underlined his value as a T20 batter. Despite his strong domestic performances, there remains debate over whether he was the best possible fit for CSK’s plans for IPL 2026, given the overall balance and requirements of the squad.

The auction also saw some notable names fail to attract interest. Abhinav Manohar, known for his aggressive hitting and power game, went unsold despite being available at a modest base price of INR 30 lakh. Manohar has previously represented Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad but has struggled to consistently translate his potential into match-winning IPL performances.

His lack of interest at the auction was somewhat surprising, particularly in light of CSK’s recent decision to part ways with experienced finishers such as Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja. Manohar’s skill set could have addressed that gap in the middle order, but a relatively underwhelming batting display in the most recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy may have played a role in teams choosing to pass on him.

The IPL 2026 mini-auction once again highlighted the fine margins involved in squad building, where form, role clarity and team composition often dictate outcomes as much as raw talent.

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