"Does Not Look Like A T20 Cricketer": Ex-India Batter's Bold Take On Rs 1.5 Crore CSK Star

Chennai Super Kings players during match vs Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026.© AFP

Former India batter Subramaniam Badrinath, who played for Chennai Super Kings from 2008 to 2013 in the Indian Premier League, has made a bold claim regarding Matthew Short. According to him, Short is not a T20 batter and that the five-time champions should release the player ahead of the upcoming mini-auction. CSK paid Rs 1.5 crore at the auction last year to acquire the services of the Australian batter. Short has played 175 T20 matches, scoring 4,556 runs at an average of 29.58 and a strike rate of 145.28.

"Matthew Short is a sure-shot release. He does not look like a T20 cricketer to me," Badrinath said in a video on his YouTube channel, as quoted by Sportskeeda.

The former India batter also wants CSK to release Rahul Chahar and Prashant Veer. The franchise bought Chahar for Rs 5.2 crore in the IPL 2026 auction and broke the bank for Prashant Veer, who cost the side Rs 14.20 crore.

"Rahul Chahar is another name. At 5.2 crores, they did not even play him. He should be released. I would look to release Prashant Veer. You have both Karthik and Prashant at 15 (14.2) crores each. You have also released an Indian fast bowler, so you will need the money to get someone. You can free up about 20 to 22 crores here, so that you can at least pick good players at the auction," he added.

Earlier this month, CSK completed a four-player swap deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad, parting ways with pacers Khaleel Ahmed and Nathan Ellis. In exchange, they acquired Australian all-rounders Liam Livingstone and Jack Edwards.

Livingstone, a veteran England all-rounder, joined CSK at a reduced fee of INR 6 crore, having originally been acquired by SRH for INR 13 crore. Meanwhile, Australian seam-bowling all-rounder Edwards joined Chennai at his existing fee of INR 3 crore. Edwards was signed by SRH before making his international debut for Australia but could not feature in IPL 2026 after being ruled out with a foot injury.

In return, SRH acquired left-arm fast bowler Khaleel at his existing fee of INR 4.8 crore. Khaleel, who previously represented SRH from 2018 to 2021, returned to the franchise after an impressive IPL 2025 campaign, in which he claimed 15 wickets in 14 matches for CSK. He featured in five matches for CSK in IPL 2026 before being ruled out of the season with a right quadriceps injury.

Australian fast bowler Ellis also joined SRH at his existing fee of INR 2 crore. Known for his variations and effectiveness in the death overs, Ellis brings valuable T20 experience and adds to SRH's pace-bowling resources.

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