Five-time IPL champions CSK will now gear up for the IPL 2025 auction, with several names circulating from their camp. Few players may be retained, but many will likely be released following a disappointing, or rather inconsistent, IPL 2024. Under their new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, the team will look to change their fortunes this time. After finishing fifth in IPL 2024 and failing to qualify for the playoffs, the team needs a revamp. Which means a few players may be released from the camp, but who are the big names that might not play for CSK in IPL 2025? Let’s take a look.
Shardul Thakur
Mumbai and India pacer Shardul Thakur could be the first name targeted by CSK when it comes to releasing a player. Known for taking wickets at crucial times, his IPL 2024 campaign was not memorable. Thakur played 9 games, took 5 wickets, and had an economy rate of over 9. He usually bowls in the middle overs to break partnerships, but as mentioned, IPL 2024 was not great for him. He joined the CSK squad in 2018, having been acquired at a massive price of 2.1 crore. In the IPL 2024 auction, he was bought back for a whopping 4 crores, but it now looks like it might be goodbye time for him from the yellow family.
Deepak Chahar
Eight games, five wickets, and an average of 40 in last season, that’s not what you expect from your premier bowler. Deepak Chahar, who is known for delivering swinging deliveries, hitting the stumps, and making batters dance in the first six overs, completely failed to do that in IPL 2024. Also, injury issues kept him out of the game more often. CSK, currently undergoing a transformation after MS Dhoni passed the captaincy baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad, needs a consistent and lethal pace attack.
Since just like Shardul Thakur, Chahar have failed to deliver, despite being with the team for so long, it’s clear that Chahar is not in his best form right now. Considering all the factors and the retention policy, where only 4 players can be retained before the auction, there is no doubt that he might not make it to those 4 players and could be released.
Rachin Ravindra
One emerging youngster who may attract new bidders is Rachin Ravindra. This Kiwi batter made a splash in the 50-over World Cup last year and quickly became a favorite among franchises in the IPL. This was evident from the bidding war between teams like Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings, with CSK ultimately winning by placing a bid of ₹1.4 crore for the left-hander.
However, after IPL 2024, where he played 10 games, scored 222 runs as an opener, and maintained an impressive strike rate of 160, Ravindra’s consistency fell short. Despite his striking capabilities, he struggled with consistency, and his performance was more inconsistent. As a result, there is a possibility he might be released. If that happens, it will be interesting to see how many teams will bid for him. Ravindra could attract many bidders in IPL 2025, excluding CSK.
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