Harbhajan Singh named CSK's first choice retention for IPL 2025 |Courtesy-BCCI/ X - @HarbhajanSingh
All eyes will be on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) when the 10 IPL franchises announce their list of retained players ahead of the 2025 IPL Mega Auction on October 31st with the eyes of the world on whether MS Dhoni will continue playing for the franchise or not.
Dhoni's future has been a doubt ever since the 2024 IPL with no confirmation from his side. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced a major twist in the retention rules for the 2025 season as they allowed any Indian player, who has not played for the country for more than 5 years to be retained as 'an uncapped player' for just Rs. 4 crore.
A team can retain a minimum of one and a maximum of two uncapped players. Each franchise is allowed to retain a maximum of five Capped Indian or overseas players. The players can be retained for a value of Rs. 18 crore (slot 1 and 4), Rs. 14 crore (Slot 2 and 5), and Rs. 11 crore (Slot 3).
Many have assumed that CSK will use the uncapped quota to retain Dhoni while either or both Ravindra Jadeja and Ruturaj Gaikwad get the top slot. However, ex-CSK player Harbhajan Singh picked Dhoni as their top choice despite him being an uncapped player. The four-time IPL-winner further picked Ruturaj, Jadeja, Rachin Ravindra, and Matheesha Pathirana.
"I’m not certain if Dhoni will play or not, but if he’s available, he would certainly be the team’s first pick 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. These four players will be sure shot retentions and Pathirana is a brilliant bowler, they will surely try to retain him. The uncapped player will be a surprise package," said Harbhajan on an Instagram video by Star Sports.
As far as Dhoni is concerned, he last played for India in the 2019 World Cup and retired from international cricket in 2020 but has continued to play for CSK in the IPL. Last year, he handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni has been part of the CSK camp since the inaugural season in 2008 and led them to five titles.
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