CSK hit with legal action before IPL 2026:Sun TV sues franchise for using content from Rajinikanth’s films in promo

Chennai Super Kings have been hit with legal trouble just before IPL 2026, with Sun TV filing a copyright infringement case against the franchise. The five-time champions used copyrighted content from Rajnikant’s Jailer, Jailer 2 and Coolie movies, which prompted this lawsuit. CSK reportedly used background music, audio and dialogues from the movies, the rights of which are with Sun TV, for their jersey launch on social media. CSK later deleted the video with the copyrighted content. Sun TV sues CSK ahead of IPL 2026 The copyright violation lawsuit was filed by Sun TV Network Limited against Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited (CSKL) and their officials- CEO Kasi Viswanathan, content head Radhakrishnan Sreenivasan and also finance head Avinash Sridharan at the Madras High Court.
Sun TV showed that they held the exclusive rights to the content that is in question. The promotional video was shared by CSK on 1 March, which contained copyrighted content. Senior counsel J. Ravindran, while representing Sun TV before Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, shared that CSK have stopped using the copyrighted content after receiving an email on 1 March. Representing CSK in this case was senior counsel PS Raman, who in turn informed that not only the promotional content has been deleted but that the franchise would obtain permission if the same content are to be used again. CSK were further directed by Justice Ramamoorthy to file an affidavit stating that the copyrighted content is not in use in any of their promotional videos. The case has been adjourned till 16 March. Two four and two away games for CSK in IPL first phase CSK have two four and two away games scheduled in the first phase of IPL 2026 fixtures released on 11 March. The five-time champions will start their campaign against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on 30 March before hosting Punjab Kings on 3 April. That match will follow a fiery clash with RCB in Bengaluru on 5 April before returning home to play the Delhi Capitals on 11 April.