Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan has confirmed that the team has no intentions of parting ways with former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the near future. Despite Dhoni stepping down as captain last season, he was retained by CSK for IPL 2025 as an uncapped player for INR 4 crore. His last appearance for India in the 2019 ODI World Cup made him eligible for the special uncapped rule for next year’s retention.
In a discussion with former CSK player Ambati Rayudu, Viswanathan mentioned the possibility of Dhoni’s last match in Chennai and expressed that as long as Dhoni wants to play for the team, the doors are always open for him. Viswanathan acknowledged Dhoni’s secretive nature and his passion for CSK, expressing confidence in Dhoni’s commitment and decision-making abilities.
Along with Dhoni, CSK also retained key Indian players like Ruturaj Gaikwad (INR 18 crore), Ravindra Jadeja (INR 18 crore), and Shivam Dube (INR 12 crore), as well as overseas star Matheesha Pathirana for INR 13 crore. Viswanathan highlighted the ease of retaining the core players after discussions with Ruturaj, coach Stephen Fleming, and Dhoni, emphasizing the team’s focus on stability and growth.
Looking ahead to the IPL mega auction in Jeddah on November 24 and 25, a total of 1,574 players are set to be part of the event. Former pacer James Anderson has registered himself at a base price of INR 1.25 crore. CSK’s strategic retention decisions reflect their commitment to building a strong and cohesive team for the upcoming season.
