The Indian Premier League is one of the most speculated and celebrated T20 leagues in the world. After the last season of IPL 2024, where CSK could not make it to the playoffs while we saw many major changes and even saw Gautam Gambhir back at the KKR camp, years later when he led the Knight Riders to their third title.
The next edition of the IPL will be the 18th edition of the historic tournament, and this will be a season preceded by a mega-auction. Teams are likely to replace several players as they could retain only some players. Though nothing has been decided yet, as BCCI is supposed to hold the meeting for making vital decisions over the rules of IPL 2025, retentions, and mega-auction budget with the franchise owners.
The Chennai Super Kings are undoubtedly the most successful team in the history of the tournament, as they have been led by legendary Indian skipper MS Dhoni over to the playoffs for over 10 editions. Though under new skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, they lost their playoff spot to Royal Challengers Bangalore.
This time even the like of the great Indian player, MS Dhoni, might not have a chance to be retained; however, let’s take a look at the Top 3 players in contention for the retention spots.
3 CSK Players Likely to be Retained
Mateesha Pathirana
The Chennai Super Kings and MS Dhoni have personally nurtured the young Sri Lankan pacer, who has grown to be one of the finest T20 products, as even in international games he is seen excelling for the Lankans. Whenever Pathirana bowls his yorkers, he reminds us of the finest of yorkers delivered by the great Lasith Malinga, often referred to as the Yorker king.
Pathirana is also known for deceiving bowlers during the middle phases with his off-pace deliveries, and he was stunning in the matches he appeared for with CSK last season. The pacer will be a huge demand in the auction; however, CSK will try to not let him go if they are handed a chance to retain more than a single player ahead of the auction.
Shivam Dube
Dube was called in for the Indian team after having three great seasons with the Chennai Super Kings. He recently won the T20 World Cup with India, and Dube the big-hitting all-rounder will be leapt at if he makes it to the mega-auction.
With the desire of not letting further more bucks be spent on the CSK finisher, they will look to have him among the retained players if they are handed a chance to have more players alongside skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who is next on our list.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Gaikwad has been another CSK-recognized talent. The young, rising Indian talent has been named as Mumbai’s skipper for a full season across all formats, with the Ranji, Vijay Hazare, as well as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in sight. Ruturaj Gaikwad was named as their skipper ahead of IPL 2024 for a full season as he filled in the big shoes of the legendary MS Dhoni.
Gaikwad since 2020 has been the best performer for the men in yellow, as he has scored more than 2000 runs in the last four editions. He is likely the best player to be retained by the Chennai Super Kings as their best batter and also their skipper. Even if a single chance was handed to retain a player, then it would be Gaikwad for CSK.
