CSK going to spend heavily on Rishabh Pant, he is their man after MS Dhoni's retirement: Simon Doull

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Rishabh Pant will be number one on the wishlist of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) if he enters the IPL 2025 mega auction, former New Zealand international Simon Doull has said.

The comment from Doull comes amid reports that Rishabh Pant might enter the IPL 2025 auction. GMR Group has taken over the operations from JSW Group for the next two seasons, and that has made the signing of Pant as the captain of Delhi Capitals a complex affair. In case a solution is not worked out, the wicketkeeper-batter is certain of not agreeing to get retained and putting his name in the IPL 2025 auction.

The cricketer-turned-commentator has predicted that CSK will bid for Pant aggressively if he gets into the IPL 2025 auction as he is a perfect fit to fill in the big shoes of team's former captain MS Dhoni.

"After what I've seen in this series I think Rachin Ravindra. And as I said the other day, I think they're just going to go heavily for Rishabh Pant if he goes into auction. He's their man to take them through post MS Dhoni wherever that maybe," Simon Doull told Sports18.

Further, Doull stated that CSK would be retaining their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and pacer Matheesha Pathirana.

"Ruturaj Gaikwad then top of the tree Ravindra Jadeja absolutely there, Matheesha Pathirana I think absolutely. I see MS come out and say that I will let you know the day before the retentions are allowed. He's keeping them on a little bit of a string at the moment as to whether he is gonna be there. Obviously, if he's available and ready to go, he's another one they have to keep a hold of. He's the franchise man," said Doull on Sports18.

CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed on Saturday (October 26) that MS Dhoni has made himself available for the IPL 2025 season. Dhoni would be picked as an uncapped player for Rs 4 crore. IPL governing council have brought back the rule which allows franchises to retain players who have not played for India in the last five years in the uncapped category.