New Delhi—As the anticipation builds for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega auction, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has predicted that the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will retain a strong core of players from their existing squad. According to Singh, the five-time champions are likely to keep veteran captain M.S. Dhoni, rising star Ruturaj Gaikwad, all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Rachin Ravindra, as well as pacer Matheesha Pathirana. While acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding Dhoni's IPL future, Harbhajan emphasized that if the iconic cricketer is available, he would undoubtedly be the top choice for retention by the Chennai franchise.
"I’m not certain if Dhoni will play or not, but if he’s available, he would certainly be the team’s first choice for retention, even if he is considered an uncapped player this season," Harbhajan stated during an interview with Star Sports. The IPL regulations allow franchises to retain a total of six players from their existing squads, either through retention or using the Right to Match (RTM) option. Teams can retain a maximum of five capped players (both Indian and overseas) and up to two uncapped players. Singh outlined his predictions for CSK's retention strategy, placing significant weight on the performances of the players in the previous season.
Gaikwad, who finished as the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2024 with 583 runs including a century and four half-centuries along with Jadeja and Pathirana, who were key wicket-takers for the franchise, are expected to be at the forefront of CSK's retention list. "I believe these four players will be retained. Besides them, we could also see Pathirana, who is an excellent bowler, kept in the squad. If an uncapped player is retained, there could be a surprise choice, but CSK may only retain five players.
So in my view, the likely retentions are Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Pathirana," Harbhajan elaborated. As the franchises prepare for the auction, the purse for IPL 2025 has been set at INR 120 crore. The deadline for teams to finalize their retention lists is October 31, adding to the excitement as fans eagerly await the decisions that could shape the future of their favorite teams. With CSK's rich history and seasoned roster, the stakes are high as they gear up for another competitive season in the IPL.