Last Updated:
Chennai Super Kings are expected to retain MS Dhoni but given the propensity of the legend to throw up surprises, all options are on the table.
MS Dhoni wpould be back in IPL 2025 as an uncapped player (Picture Credit: Sportzpics)
Will MS Dhoni be retained by the Chennai Super Kings for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025? It’s the biggest question of the hour as the deadline to announce the retention lists is fast approaching. All 10 franchises have to submit the list to the IPL Governing Council by 5 PM on Thursday and there’s plenty of interest in the players that will be retained and released.
The stage was set for Dhoni’s farewell during IPL 2024 with the five-time champions eyeing a record 6th title earlier this year. Chennai was the venue for the title clash. However, the Yellow Army lost their final league game to the Royal Challengers Bangalore and were knocked out.
And now that the IPL GC has reintroduced the rule scrapped in 2021, allowing players to be considered uncapped if they have retired from international cricket for five years, there’s a possibility that CSK keep hold of Dhoni who drew the curtains on his international career in 2020 having last played for India at the 2019 ODI World Cup.
By all means, CSK’s retention will be keenly looked a.
Before the lists are out, let’s have a look at their six likely retentions
Ruturaj Gaikwad: The skipper is likely to be retained, the reason being the trust shown in him by the management, and Dhoni himself ahead of the 2024 season. Just a day prior to the commencement of the season, the franchise announced Gaikwad’s succession. And that has been the team’s culture: always throwing their weight behind the captain.
Shivam Dube: The allrounder has been nurtured by the franchise, and he went on to become the World Champion recently. Retaining Dube not only adds the team’s middle-order with firepower but also gives them a handy bowling option. CSK have mostly put their money on allrounders, and Dube is one of the best options to retain.
Ravindra Jadeja: Just like Dhoni, it’s a little difficult to think of Jadeja representing any team other than CSK. The southpaw has done enough and doesn’t have to prove anything. He picks himself in the franchise’s retention list. Although last season wasn’t that great for him, his versatile skills and experience make him an asset that CSK will be unwilling to part ways with.
Matheesha Pathirana (Overseas): CSK’s liking for the Sri Lanka pacer is evident. The right-arm quick was roped in by the franchise in IPL 2022 as a replacement for the injured Adam Milne. He has played 34 matches for CSK and picked up 34 wickets at an impressive economy of 7.88.
Sameer Rizvi (Uncapped): Rizvi, who was the find of the UPT20 last year, made quite a stir with his Rs 8.4 crore price-tag at the mini-auction. Given his talent, he could be the uncapped player the franchise would like to retain. He played 8 matches in his debut season, batted in 5 innings, and scored 51 runs at a strike rate of 118.60.
MS Dhoni (Uncapped): While the legend himself has said he wants to enjoy the ‘few years’ of cricket left in him, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has asserted that the franchise will be more than happy to have him whenever he is ready. The new rule allows the franchise to retain Dhoni, but the fans should keep their fingers crossed until the lists are out.
