Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have a tough call to make at the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction – who to use their solitary Right-to-Match (RTM) card on? The ‘Yellow Brigade’ have retained a core group of players, including captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube, and pacer Matheesha Pathirana. However, they’ve let go of some match-winners, leaving CSK with a crucial RTM decision to ponder over.
IPL 2025 Auction: Who will be CSK’s ideal RTM pick?
The three names that stand out as front-runners for CSK’s RTM are – Deepak Chahar, Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway. You can make an argument for each of these high-quality players. While Conway and Rachin have been quite consistent with their national team, Chahar is the one who has contributed massively for CSK in the past.
Deepak Chahar a faithful servant for CSK!
Deepak Chahar has been a faithful servant of the CSK franchise over the years. The right-arm pacer was their marquee signing in the 2022 mega auction, with the team splurging a whopping ₹14 crore to secure his services. With his injury issues and low output during IPL 2024, CSK released him.
Chahar’s ability to provide early breakthroughs with the new ball, coupled with his handy lower-order hitting, made him an valuable asset in CSK’s title triumphs in 2018, 2021 and in 2023. However, a spate of injuries in the last three seasons has seen him miss crucial matches for the ‘Men in Yellow’. In fact, he played just 18 out of the total 30 games for CSK in last two seasons. Despite the fitness concerns, CSK management might still be tempted to use their RTM on Chahar. The 30-year-old’s proven track record and familiarity with the team’s ethos could tilt the scales in his favor, as the franchise has an habit to rebuild around a core of experienced campaigners.
Rising star Rachin Ravindra!
If CSK are looking to the future, then Rachin Ravindra could be an exciting option to consider. The 24-year-old all-rounder burst onto the scene with a prolific run in the 2023 ODI World Cup, before following it up with a stellar IPL 2024 campaign for the franchise. However, his worth of Rs 1.80 cr at IPL 2024 auction raised eyebrows.
Ravindra’s composure at the crease, versatility with both bat and ball, and a calm demeanor make him an enticing prospect. Just look at how beautifully he played during the recent historic triumph by New Zealand in India. He His ability to adapt to Indian conditions was on full display during New Zealand’s historic Test series triumph earlier this year. He made a scintillating century and a fifty against a top-quality Indian bowling.
Investing the RTM card on Ravindra could allow CSK to groom a young match-winner for the long haul. The left-arm spinner’s all-round abilities complement the team’s needs perfectly, and he could form a formidable partnership with someone like Jadeja.
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What about Devon Conway?
If consistency and proven IPL pedigree are the key criteria, then Devon Conway emerges as the frontrunner for CSK’s RTM. The New Zealand opener has been a vital cog in the ‘Yellow Army’s wheel over the IPL 2023 and IPL 2022, amassing 924 runs at a stunning average of 48 and a SR of above 141.
Conway’s ability to provide solid starts and anchor the innings is great, especially for a team like CSK that thrives on stability at the top. He gelled superbly well with Ruturaj Gaikwad and he can’t he do that once again? His absence during the injury-ravaged IPL 2024 campaign was clearly felt, as the defending champions missed out on a playoff berth.
Retaining Conway through the RTM card could ensure that the franchise’s tradition of left-handed overseas openers remain intact. However, with him turning 34 next year, this might not be that frugal as far as their 3-year plan is concerned.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) IPL 2025 Retentions
| Player | Price (Crores) (INR) | Capped/Uncapped |
|---|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 18.00 | Capped |
| Matheesha Pathirana | 13.00 | Capped |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 18.00 | Capped |
| Shivam Dube | 12.00 | Capped |
| MS Dhoni | 4.00 | Uncapped |
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