CSK Retention List for IPL 2025: Players Retained, Released and Remaining Budget for Auction as per Report

CSK Retention List for IPL 2025: Ahead of the IPL 2025 retention deadline, Chennai Super Kings are retaining a core group, including five key players from their last season, as per Espncricinfo.

This retention strategy leaves CSK with only one right-to-match option for the auction and significantly reduces their purse, potentially impacting their spending ability. Let’s find out more below:

Chennai Super Kings Players Retained

Ruturaj Gaikwad - ₹18 crore
Ravindra Jadeja - ₹14 crore
Shivam Dube - ₹11 crore
Matheesha Pathirana - ₹18 crore
MS Dhoni - ₹4 crore (as per uncapped player rules)

CSK’s retention strategy centers around retaining influential players who contributed significantly to the team’s recent performances. Notably, MS Dhoni, a vital figure in CSK’s setup, will continue with the franchise under a new IPL rule allowing players inactive in international cricket for over five years to be categorized as uncapped, making him eligible for a cost-effective retention.

CSK Key Players Released

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

CSK's Auction Budget and Future Strategy

CSK’s retention plan reflects their long-term commitment to team cohesion and building around a strong, experienced nucleus. The decision to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player brings an advantage to CSK's finances, allowing them to retain his leadership while minimizing budget impact. With five major players retained, CSK has already committed ₹65 crore of their ₹120 crore total purse, which limits their remaining spending power but still enables some flexibility for strategic additions during the auction.

With the IPL 2025 mega auction scheduled for late November, CSK's remaining budget of approximately ₹55 crore leaves them with a moderate amount of room for maneuvering. The team has strategically prioritized squad continuity and a blend of mentorship and youth development. This approach allows CSK to pursue a few impactful signings during the auction without compromising their core structure.

CSK’s retention strategy underscores their commitment to a stable and balanced squad, aiming to create a team with depth, experience, and leadership. With MS Dhoni’s presence as a guiding force alongside emerging stars like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Matheesha Pathirana, CSK positions itself as a formidable contender for IPL 2025, ready to leverage its mix of experience and youthful energy to target another successful campaign.