CSK IPL Retention 2025: Who were the Star Names Not Retained by Chennai Super Kings before Mega Auction?

Add as a preferred source on Google

IPL Retention 2025: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have made the decision on their core for the next season as MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad return to leadership roles with Ravindra Jadeja in the mix. The five-time champions, however, had to let go of hoards of star players.

This included marquee names of Indian cricket while plenty of international names were also done away with Sri Lankan pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana was the only overseas player who remained with the franchise. let's take a look at the key names that were released:

Big Names Not Retained by CSK for IPL 2025

• Deepak Chahar - ₹14 crore (Last season's salary)
• Moeen Ali (England) - ₹8 crore
• Daryl Mitchell (New Zealand) - ₹1.4 crore
• Devon Conway (New Zealand) - ₹1 crore
• Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand) - ₹1.8 crore
• Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) - ₹1.9 crore
• Ajinkya Rahane - ₹50 lakh
• Shardul Thakur - ₹4 crore
• Mustafizur Rahman (Bangladesh) - ₹2 crore

Also read: Chennai Super Kings Retention List for IPL 2025: OFFICIAL! All Players Retained by CSK Ahead of Mega Auction

Among the major names released were seasoned all-rounder Moeen Ali, star pacer Deepak Chahar, and the talented New Zealand quartet comprising Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Mitchell Santner. Also let go were experienced Indian players Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur, along with Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman.

After a triumphant IPL 2023 season under MS Dhoni, CSK's IPL 2024 campaign saw a dip, with many senior players struggling to replicate their previous form. Ajinkya Rahane, who had showcased his revival with CSK in 2023, faced a sharp decline in performance, scoring only 242 runs compared to his 326 runs in the prior season.

His average plummeted below 20, leaving CSK searching for more consistency in the middle order. Shardul Thakur, too, failed to make an impact with the ball, remaining expensive despite occasional valuable knocks with the bat, which ultimately made his retention untenable.

The release of the New Zealand quartet of Conway, Mitchell, Ravindra, and Santner marks a significant move for CSK. Conway, who played a crucial role as an opener alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, often gave CSK steady starts, while Mitchell's all-round capabilities added balance. Rachin Ravindra showed promise as an emerging player, and Santner offered experience and spin versatility. However, with the desire for a fresh setup, CSK decided to part ways with these overseas stars, opting for flexibility ahead of the mega auction.

Letting go of big names like Chahar, CSK's costliest bowler, and Moeen Ali, their reliable all-rounder, signals a clear intention to make space for emerging talent. Chahar's struggles with injuries and form, coupled with Moeen's fluctuating contributions, likely influenced these decisions. In Mustafizur Rahman's case, the left-arm pacer couldn't deliver the penetration CSK required in crucial moments, and his release frees up valuable budget space.

This overhaul leaves CSK with an estimated ₹55 crore in their auction purse, giving them ample room to reshape the squad strategically. With the core of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana retained alongside Dhoni, CSK has retained a balanced spine but with the flexibility to chase marquee players. The Right to Match (RTM) card at the upcoming auction offers CSK a chance to bring back one of the released players, potentially revisiting Conway or Mitchell.

These bold releases highlight CSK's commitment to balancing experience with youth, setting the stage for a strategic auction approach as they aim for a resurgence in IPL 2025.