CSK IPL Auction 2025: Players Earning More than MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) remain a powerhouse, blending iconic players like MS Dhoni with fresh faces such as R Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, and Rahul Tripathi. With a mix of star power and emerging talent, several players are set to out-earn their iconic wicketkeeper-batter in IPL 2025.

Names like Ruturaj Gaikwad are no surprise; some new faces might raise eyebrows. Here's a breakdown of who is earning more than MS Dhoni's salary of Rs 4 crore:

CSK IPL Auction 2025 — MS Dhoni, left, and Ravindra Jadeja (Photo: PTI)

Players Earning More than MS Dhoni at CSK after IPL Auction 2025

Player Name	Country	Role	Price (in INR)
Ruturaj Gaikwad	India	Batter	₹18 crore
Ravindra Jadeja	India	All-Rounder	₹18 crore
Matheesha Pathirana	Sri Lanka	Bowler	₹13 crore
Shivam Dube	India	All-Rounder	₹12 crore
Noor Ahmad	Afghanistan	Spinner	₹10 crore
R Ashwin	India	Spinner	₹9.75 crore
Devon Conway	New Zealand	Batter	₹6.25 crore
Khaleel Ahmed	India	Pacer	₹4.80 crore

Rest of the CSK Squad Salary

Player Name	Country	Role	Price (in INR)
Rahul Tripathi	India	Batter	₹3.40 crore
Anshul Kamboj	India	All-Rounder	₹3.40 crore
Sam Curran	England	All-Rounder	₹2.40 crore
Gurjapneet Singh	India	Pacer	₹2.20 crore
Nathan Ellis	Australia	Pacer	₹2 crore
Deepak Hooda	India	Batter	₹1.70 crore
Jamie Overton	England	All-Rounder	₹1.50 crore
Vijay Shankar	India	All-Rounder	₹1.20 crore
Vansh Bedi	India	Wicketkeeper	₹55 lakh
Shaik Rasheed	India	All-Rounder	₹30 lakh
Mukesh Choudhary	India	Bowler	₹30 lakh
Kamlesh Nagarkoti	India	Pacer	₹30 lakh
Ramakrishna Ghosh	India	All-Rounder	₹30 lakh
Shreyas Gopal	India	Spinner	₹30 lakh
Andre Siddharth	India	Batter	₹30 lakh

Also read: CSK IPL Auction 2025: Chennai Super Kings' Best Possible Playing XI After Mega Auction

MS Dhoni: The Mentor in the Shadows

MS Dhoni, valued at ₹4 crore, remains an integral part of CSK’s plans, albeit as a lower-earning player. With leadership transitioning to Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dhoni’s primary role now lies in nurturing talent and delivering under pressure when it counts. In fact, he settled for a lesser salary so that CSK could go after their targetted players at the auction and build the foundation for the years to come.

CSK’s ₹18 crore investments in Gaikwad and Jadeja underline their pivotal roles. Gaikwad, as captain, is tasked with leading the team on-field, while Jadeja’s all-round capabilities remain indispensable.

The acquisitions of Noor Ahmad and R Ashwin show CSK’s strategic focus on spin, especially for Indian conditions. Ahmad’s ₹10 crore price tag reflects his growing reputation as a T20 mystery spinner, while Ashwin brings leadership and experience to the middle overs.

These investments highlight CSK’s commitment to balancing a strong core with exciting new talent. Dhoni’s reduced pay reflects his evolving role, while the spotlight shifts to Gaikwad’s leadership and Jadeja’s all-round mastery. This mix of experience and youth positions CSK as a frontrunner for IPL 2025.

Will these high earners justify their price tags? The answer unfolds on the field.