CSK's IPL 2025 Retention Strategy: From MS Dhoni To Ruturaj Gaikwad

BCCI has not yet announced IPL 2025 Auction retention rules, which were expected in August but have been delayed.

'Thala' MS Dhoni is reportedly CSK's primary pick when it comes to retention.

Source : PTI

CSK in IPL 2025 Auction: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are reportedly preparing to retain five-time winner MS Dhoni ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction.

There are also reports which suggest that 2025 IPL auction could be held outside India, possibly in UAE or Saudi Arabia, in December this year.

With the auction approaching, BCCI has not yet announced the retention rules, which were expected in August but have been delayed. An official announcement from the board regarding retention rules is anticipated soon.

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CSK's probable top five picks for retention ahead of IPL 2025 Auction

'Thala' MS Dhoni is reportedly CSK's primary pick when it comes to retention. Other potential retainers include captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, and Shivam Dubey, while Sri Lankan fast bowler Mathisha Pathirana is likely to be the foreign player retained. Reports indicate that if CSK retains Dhoni, it will be in the lowest bid category, as agreed by mutual consent.

MS Dhoni relinquished CSK's captaincy just before IPL 2024, passing the leadership to Ruturaj Gaikwad. Although Ruturaj had a solid first season as captain, he was unable to guide the team into playoffs.

Dhoni, on the other hand, played all 14 league matches, but faced only 73 balls throughout the tournament, scoring 161 runs with 14 fours and 13 sixes.

Cricbuzz reports that all 10 franchises will have until November 15 to finalize their retention decisions for IPL 2025 Auction, which will also feature a Right To Match (RTM) option.

In both 2014 and 2018 auctions, franchises were allowed to retain five players. In 2014, teams could keep a maximum of four capped Indian players among their retained players. By 2018, the rules expanded to allow for the retention of five players, which included options for both retention and right to match (RTM) cards.

In 2022, teams were allowed to retain four players, with two possible combinations: three Indian players and one foreign player, or two Indian players and two foreign players.