New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are reportedly planning a major overhaul ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction and have their sight set on India wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant. Pant’s future at Delhi Capitals (DC) remains uncertain amid reports that the franchise is not interested in him continuing as the team’s captain in IPL 2025.
Pant might enter the IPL 2025 mega auction if DC fails to negotiate a deal with him and the wicket-keeper batter is likely to trigger a bidding war considering what he brings to the table. CSK, who have been linked with Pant in the past, might go all out to sign the swashbuckling left-hander, who can be a long-term replacement for MS Dhoni at the franchise.
As per a report in The Indian Express, CSK are in for an overhaul in their squad with an eye on the future. The five-time champions will go for a wicket-keeper batter irrespective of Dhoni’s future with the franchise. Dhoni has already given his nod for the next season and is expected to continue playing for the franchise in IPL 2025.
The former CSK captain is set to be retained as an uncapped player for Rs 4 crore, ensuring that his retention doesn’t hurt the franchise’s overall purse heading into the mega auction. Dhoni had stepped down from captaincy ahead of the last season and was expected to call time on his IPL career following the conclusion of the 2024 edition of the league.
However, CSK failing to qualify for the playoffs made Dhoni change his mind. While he is expected to keep wickets for the five-time champions next season, having someone like Pant in the squad to replace him in the long term will be an ideal scenario for CSK, who will be looking to rebuild their squad from scratch for the next season.
CSK likely to retain Dhoni, Gaikwad and Jadeja
While Dhoni is set to be retained as an uncapped player, CSK are likely to retain star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Jadeja is expected to be retained in the top bracket for RS 18 crore followed by Gaikwad and Pathirana.
CSK are also reportedly considering retaining one of the trio of Shivam Dube, Devon Conway and uncapped batter Sameer Rizvi. October 31 is the deadline for all 10 IPL franchises to reveal their final retentions ahead of the mega auction which is scheduled to take place next month.
