IPL 2025 Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Retained Players List

MS Dhoni’s availability, the big focus as we look at the best retained players list for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. 

The Indian Premier League is in the news recently, and the Franchises and IPL leadership have been conducting a series of meetings in the last few weeks. With the tournament being headed for a Mega Auction in 2025, the agenda of the meetings seems to be pretty clear. The Mega Auction as we know is conducted every 3 years in general, and extensive discussions are required to finalize the players’ retention rule.

While nothing has been finalized yet in terms of the retention rules, all eyes will be on one champion Team, Chennai Super Kings – the team that is known for backing their players, and retaining as many players as possible. However, with this being a mega auction, it will technically not be possible to retain a lot of players for the Chennai Super Kings. 

As we know, a team in general is allowed to retain a total of 4 players ahead of the Mega Auction. However, the rule can change as some teams are demanding that more than four players be retained. So, there could be a possibility that teams are allowed to retain 4, 5 or even 6 players. But retaining more than 6 players seems doubtful as it shall reduce the Auction quality overall.

MS Dhoni for IPL 2025?

Coming to Chennai Super Kings, the biggest question for them shall be the availability of their most important player, MS Dhoni. MS Dhoni did play in 2024, but he might retire before the 2025 season if his body doesn’t support him. Dhoni is 43 already, and if he is able to maintain fitness, there could be a possibility of seeing MS Dhoni for one more time. The fans would love it, and the tournament will benefit because in terms of the TRPs.

Now, as a fan of MS Dhoni, and wishing a goodwill for the Indian Premier League, we all want MS Dhoni to continue. So, assuming MS Dhoni plays for one more year, let’s look at the best-retained players list for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in three possible retention scenarios ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction. The scenarios shall allow the teams to retain 4, 5, and 6 players with different Indian + Overseas player combinations. 

CSK Retained Players List 2025 IPL – Different Scenarios

Scenario One – 4 Players 

The first scenario where a team is allowed to retain four players is the most basic scenario that we see in every Mega Auction. In this scenario, a team is allowed to retain four players with a combination of 3 Indians + 1 Overseas or 2 Indians + 2 Overseas players. If CSK were to retain four players in this category, it would be Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, and Matheesha Pathitrana.

This is the easiest of the lot to find the players that CSK would like to invest for IPL 2025. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, and the Man, the Myth, the Mahi himself, MS Dhoni. With these three Indian players being their highest priority, they can’t accommodate another Indian player. So, for the Overseas player, the best option is to retain Matheesha Pathirana, who is currently undoubtedly one of the best death overs bowlers in the world.

Scenario Two – 5 Players 

Now, retaining 5 players has never been the case in an IPL Mega Auction. But this could well be possible if the IPL management decides to give that option. In case, a team is allowed to retain 5 players, we can see a combination of 4 Indians + 1 Overseas or 3 Indian + 2 Overseas players. With CSK having three solid Indian players already in line for retentions, that extra player shall mostly be Shivam Dube. Thus, with five possible retentions allowed, CSK shall retain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube. 

Scenario Three – 6 Players 

Now, moving on to the one last scenario, and that is allowing teams to retain 6 players. Now, if the IPL board allows the teams to retain 6 players, it will mostly be the combination of 4 Indians + 2 Overseas or 3 Indian + 3 Overseas players. It looks unlikely that the teams will be allowed to retain 5 Indian players as that will then reduce the quality of the Auction with most of the quality Indian players already retained. 

Thus, if CSK were to approach 6 retentions, the five will be as shown above, and those are Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube. But for the sixth player, they will have to go for an Overseas player, and looking at the options, they can think of retaining Devon Conway. Conway has been a key performer for CSK in recent years, and even though he missed playing in 2024, the quality is nowhere gone. Thus, Conway should be the second Overseas player on CSK’s list. 

So, that’s about the best retained players list for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for IPL 2025. Overall, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja are two confirmed retentions for sure irrespective of whether MS Dhoni plays or not. If MS Dhoni decides to call it quits, we can see Shivam Dube and Tushar Deshpande as the other two Indian players among retention probability. 

Thanks for reading! What’s your take on the best retained players list for CSK for IPL 2025? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com

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Adesh Kothari

Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.

Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.

Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.