New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have reportedly finalised their retentions ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction. The five-time champions are set to retain former captain MS Dhoni, however, the legendary wicket-keeper batter is not among CSK’s top retentions ahead of the new season.
As per a report in Cricbuzz, CSK are set to retain star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as their top retention followed by captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Dhoni, who recently gave CSK the green signal for IPL 2025, is all set to be retained as an uncapped player for a sum of only Rs 4 crore which will ensure the 43-year-old’s retention doesn’t impact CSK’s purse heading into the all-important mega auction.
While many expected Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube to be CSK’s third retention, the five-time champions have reportedly agreed a deal to give Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana the third retention slot. As per Cricbuzz’s report, Pathirana’s manager was in Chennai last week where he finalised the deal for Pathirana to stay at CSK.
There was a toss-up between Dube and Pathirana for CSK, however, the five-time champions seem to have gone with the 21-year-old pacer, who they have heavily invested in over the last few years. Pathirana, a CSK product, joined the franchise as a net bowler before being roped in as New Zealand pacer Adam Milne’s replacement in IPL 2022.
Pathirana went on to shine in CSK’s title-winning campaign in IPL 2023 with 19 wickets in 12 matches and has since become a vital cog in the team’s bowling line-up. The young pacer has so far picked up 34 wickets for CSK in 20 matches in his IPL career and has been exceptional in the death overs with his slingy action and lethal yorkers.
