The suspense around MS Dhoni's participation in the upcoming IPL finally broke after weeks of speculation when the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) named their former captain as part of the retention list on October 31. The veteran wicketkeeper has been retained as an 'Uncapped Player' for the fixed minimum value of the category ₹4 crores.
For the uninitiated, the Uncapped Player Rule allows franchises to retain players who have never played for India or have not played for them in over five years at a lower price of ₹4 crores. Dhoni, who has led CSK to all five titles, falls into the latter category.
The champion cricketer enjoyed an excellent 2024 IPL season with bat, averaging 53.66 at a strike rate of 220.54 in 14 outings. While he batted lower down the order for CSK, the 43-year-old smashed 14 boundaries and 13 maximums in the 73 balls faced.
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Despite his finishing heroics, CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs after suffering a heartbreaking defeat to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their final league stage outing.
Dhoni handed the captaincy duties to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 2024 IPL season.
CSK retain four others apart from MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2025 auction
Apart from MS Dhoni, CSK retained four other players - Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega AuctionJadeja and Gaikwad were retained for ₹18 crores, Pathirana and Dube were retained for ₹13 and ₹12 crores, respectively. It means CSK have spent ₹ 65 crores on their five retentions and will enter the Mega Auction with a balance of ₹ 55 crores to build the rest of their squad, including one Right-To-Match (RTM) option.
Coming to the performances of the retained players other than Dhoni last season, Jadeja was fairly impressive with the bat at an average of over 44 and a strike rate of 142.78. However, the veteran struggled for penetration with the ball, picking up only eight wickets at an average of over 46 and an economy of 7.85.
Skipper Gaikwad was as solid as ever in IPL 2024, scoring 583 runs at an average of 53 and a strike rate of 141.16. Meanwhile, Dube held CSK's middle order together with 396 runs at an average of 36 and a strike rate of over 162.
Pathirana missed over half the season for CSK but still finished with an impressive 13 wickets at an average of 13 and an economy of 7.68 in only six outings.
CSK's retentions ahead of IPL 2025 auction:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (₹18 crores), Ravindra Jadeja (₹18 crores), Matheesha Pathirana (₹13 crores), Shivam Dube ( ₹12 crores), MS Dhoni (₹4 crores)
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