as Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction houses, franchises are struggling with the pressure to finalize their holding lists. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) It has yet to confirm how many players each team can retain, leaving cricket fans as well as the teams on the brink of an official announcement.
The MS Dhoni factor: CSK’s iconic player
And between the teams Chennai Super Kings (CSK) they pay particular attention to understanding the retention policy as it can significantly affect the future of their legendary captains, MS Dhoniunder whom the franchise witnessed golden times that included five trophies. According to the latest reports by RevSportz, CSK have shortlisted the five players they plan to retain along with Dhoni.
CSK’s performance in 2024: A season to forget under Ruturaj Gaikwad
CSK’s 2024 campaign ended on a disappointing note, with a narrow exit from the playoffs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This was the third instance of CSK failing to reach the top four in 15 seasons. Their struggles have been compounded by injuries to key players, including their bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and a preseason loss Devon Conway. Despite retaining key players and making strategic additions during the auction, the team’s injury problems seriously affected their overall performance.
Also READ: Chennai Super Kings: 3 key players CSK may release ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction
Retention list for IPL 2024: 5 players identified by Chennai Super Kings
Reports suggest that CSK is targeting the following players to retain:
- MS Dhoni – The heartbeat and guiding force of the franchise.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad – Current captain and key player for future success.
- Ravindra Jadeja – An indispensable all-rounder who balances both batting and bowling.
- Shivam Dube – A versatile asset capable of impressive performance.
- Matheesha Pathirana – A new talent showing potential as a front line player.
Interestingly, the list does not include notable names Deepak ChaharConway, Daryl Mitchell and Theekshana have emphasized their willingness to take calculated risks as they look to rejuvenate CSK’s squad.
We are waiting for clarification from BCTI
With Dhoni potentially approaching his final season in 2025, CSK’s decisions in this auction are crucial. The The franchise is said to have previously lobbied To reinstate the rule allowing retired players to be retained. The rule, which was active from 2008 to 2021, allowed teams to qualify players who had been retired for more than five years as players who could work in favor of Dhoni after he retires from international cricket in 2019.
The CSK management is on high alert as they await BCCI’s approval regarding the retention rules. A favorable decision could provide a significant strategic advantage, allowing them to retain Dhoni at a lower cost while maintaining a competitive squad. With Dhoni determined to make a strong impact in his final season, the future of the franchise largely depends on BCCI’s latest call on the retention rules.
