They are the two most successful franchises in the IPL. Both Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians have won the title five times each, and as regards the retentions ahead of the 2025 mega auction, the tournament’s two biggest teams had clear-cut strategies. Unlike some other franchises, there was no late drama over certain players. Both CSK and MI management knew what they were doing.
Chennai Super Kings
Players retained: Ruturaj Gaikwad (Rs 18 crore), Ravindra Jadeja (Rs 18 crore), Matheesha Pathirana (Rs 13 crore), Shivam Dube (Rs 12 crore) and MS Dhoni (Rs 4 crore)
What the retained players bring to the table: Stability, quality and a wealth of experience. The captaincy baton was passed from Dhoni to Gaikwad last season and by making the latter their top retention, CSK have given him a clear vote of confidence, a fallow 2024 notwithstanding. The biggest thing for the Chennai-based franchise is that Dhoni has decided to continue for one more season. The former CSK captain, the team’s guiding light, didn’t want to block a big amount of money to affect his franchise’s auction purse. The BCCI bringing back the uncapped player rule helped matters. As for Jadeja, apart from being a world-class all-rounder, he is ‘family’. Dube was in scintillating hitting form in the last IPL, while Pathirana is the team’s designated death bowler.
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Disadvantages of letting go of some key players: Devon Conway couldn’t play the 2024 IPL due to a finger injury and it affected CSK’s performance. Not retaining Rachin Ravindra, who is in the form of his life, might hurt CSK as well. Mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana isn’t part of the list either. CSK rely on spin-choke at Chepauk, and the Sri Lankan was an important cog in the wheel.
Players CSK would like to buy back at the auction: Conway, Rachin and Theekshana for sure. Also, Sameer Rizvi and Deepak Chahar. Outside that, the franchise is likely to go hard for Washington Sundar. And it is learnt that Rishabh Pant is also on CSK’s radar. But they are going to the auction with a purse of Rs 55 crore.
Mumbai Indians
Players retained: Jasprit Bumrah (Rs 18 crore), Suryakumar Yadav (Rs 16.35 crore), Hardik Pandya (Rs 16.35 crore), Rohit Sharma (Rs 16.30 crore) and Tilak Verma (Rs 8 crore)
What the retained players bring to the table: MI have managed to keep their band together. Last season was a period of ferment at the franchise, after Pandya replaced Rohit as captain. Issues have been taken care of and once again it’s a happy dressing-room. It is learnt that Mahela Jayawardene, who has returned as the team’s head coach, was of the view that Bumrah, Surya, Pandya and Rohit should get equal amounts. But Rohit felt that the current Indian T20 players deserve higher amounts.
He has retired from T20Is, and accordingly, Bumrah, Surya and Pandya were made the first three retained players. By making Bumrah their top pick, MI have made a statement that the fast bowler is the jewel in the crown. Also, they have addressed the captaincy issue with authority by naming Pandya the skipper for the 2025 season. The MI management will take heart from the fact they have managed to retain the ‘fab four’.
Disadvantages of letting go of some key players: MI might miss Ishan Kishan’s power-punch at the top and Tim David’s prowess as a finisher. Also, without Kishan, they will have to go for a good wicketkeeper.
Players MI would like to buy back at the auction: Kishan and David would be high on the franchise’s list. Also, uncapped players like Naman Dhir, Nehal Wadhera and Ansul Kamboj. MI, however, have just Rs 45 crore remaining for auction.
Also Read: KKR & LSG Lock in Key Players, Eye Auction to Fill Gaps for IPL 2025