With MS Dhoni playing for another season, CSK is looking to retain five more players to secure their core.
As the IPL 2025 player retention deadline approaches, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are setting the stage to retain a core group of players who have been instrumental in their performance over the last three years. CSK has always valued continuity, and the upcoming season appears no different.
CSK will be eager to go into the IPL 2025 auction with a substantial purse but, at the same time, they will be eager to retain a core set of players who will be vital to their success in the upcoming cycle. They have already decided on their retentions and here is how their retention list is shaping up heading into the IPL 2025 retention deadline:
Despite speculation around MS Dhoni’s future, CSK’s management has reaffirmed their commitment to retaining their captain for the 2025 season. Although there were talks about Dhoni potentially retiring, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed on Saturday that Dhoni would continue as an ‘uncapped’ player.
This decision reflects the importance of Dhoni’s presence within the squad, especially as a guiding force for younger players and as a tactician. Even if he plays as an Impact Player and his on-field time reduces, Dhoni’s presence is expected to significantly impact the team’s performance and morale. Last season, Dhoni batted in the lower middle-order and smashed 161 runs at s superb average of 53.67 and an outstanding strike-rate of 220.55.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ruturaj Gaikwad are expected to be CSK’s top two retentions. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they would fall under the designated INR 18 crores and 14 crores bracket respectively, as both could be retained for INR 18 crores or for sums greater than that.
Jadeja, a stalwart in both bowling and batting departments, has consistently delivered for CSK. Although last season wasn’t that great for him, his versatile skills and experience make him an asset that CSK is unwilling to lose.
Similarly, Ruturaj Gaikwad has rapidly established himself as CSK’s go-to batter with his consistent performances in the last few seasons. Moreover, his elevation to captaincy has made his position in CSK far more important. His retention ensures CSK’s batting lineup remains solid at the top while also giving them a leader with an astute mind.
CSK plans to retain Matheesha Pathirana as their third pick. There are high chances that CSK might convince him to get retained at a sum less thanthe designated INR 11 crore to accommodate Jadeja and Gaikwad at higher sums.
Known for his unique sling-arm action, Pathirana’s bowling style has been difficult for batters to counter. His impressive performance in the last two IPL seasons, particularly in the death overs, has marked him as a potential future star. By retaining him, CSK aims to secure a reliable pace bowling option, who can add depth to their bowling attack and develop into a leader of the unit in the coming years.
With only limited slots available for retention, CSK finds itself in a tough spot deciding between Shivam Dube, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway. All three players have been vital to CSK’s lineup but bring different skill sets to the team.
Dube’s recent performances as a hard-hitting middle-order batter who can also bowl a few overs have given CSK crucial depth in their lineup. Ravindra has quickly established himself as one of the best rising batting talents in the world right now and he also impressed a lot with his aggressive intent at the top of the order in Conway’s absence in the previous season.
Conversely, Conway has been instrumental as a top-order batter, pairing effectively with Gaikwad. His wicket-keeping attribute also adds an important dimension to his retention chances as he offers a reliable wicket-keeping backup for Dhoni. CSK is expected to make this decision based on their auction strategy and the team’s batting-bowling balance requirements.
CSK is also looking at retaining emerging talent Sameer Rizvi as their second uncapped player alongside Dhoni. Rizvi has shown promise in domestic cricket and is seen as a future asset for CSK.
Retaining him not only allows CSK to groom a young player but also strengthens their bench, particularly in the finishing department, giving them more flexibility during matches. Rizvi’s retention aligns with CSK’s strategy of building a robust roster to plan for transition.
After securing six key retentions, and spending a combined sum of INR 79 crores, CSK will enter the 2025 auction with no Right to Match (RTM) card and an auction purse of INR 41 crores.
Their remaining auction purse is certainly a bit low but their six key retentions makes them secure and also helps them to maintain the core. They might have to wait initially as long as other teams splurge money in the auction, but they can pick up good players once all teams are down to the same level in terms of money. This being a mega auction also means that there will be plenty of reliable players to bid on and CSK will be looking to build around their core group of players only.
