Former India and Chennai Super Kings spinner Harbhajan Singh believes Mahendra Singh Dhoni will be CSK’s first retention ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auction if the veteran wicketkeeper-batter is available.
There were doubts on whether MS Dhoni would continue playing in the IPL, but the speculation was put to bed earlier in the week when the former Indian captain as well as the franchise confirmed about his involvement in the next edition.
While he still remains uncertain over his availability, Harbhajan felt it’s a no brainer if he is availabe as the former spinner picked his possible retentions for CSK headlined by Dhoni.
The IPL franchises can retain a total of six players from their existing squad. This can be either via retention or by using the Right to Match (RTM) option. The six retentions/RTMs can have a maximum of five capped players (Indian & Overseas) and a maximum of 2 uncapped players.
Harbhajan, who spent three seasons at CSK, feels the five-time champions will retain Dhoni, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as well as New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana ahead of the 2025 IPL mega auction.
“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. Following him, the next pick would be Ravindra Jadeja, then Rachin Ravindra. As for the captain, Ruturaj Gaikwad, he would also be a definite retention,” Harbhajan told Star Sports.
“I believe these four players will be retained. Besides them, we could also see Pathirana, who is an excellent bowler, kept in the squad. And 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,” he added.
An uncapped player can be retained for Rs 4 Crore, while a capped player retention will cost in slab rates of Rs 18 Crore, Rs 14 Crore, Rs 11 Crore, Rs 18 Crore and Rs 14 Crore respectively, costing a franchise a total of Rs 79 Crore if they made all their 6 retentions.
If CSK do retain five players, they could head into the auction with one RTM option and at least Rs 60 Crore deducted from their purse. The Chennai-based franchise will also look to buy back several of their key players at the auction next month.
The auction purse for the franchises has been set at INR 120 crore for IPL 2025. The deadline for the franchises to reveal their retention list is October 31st.
