Five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings are not only known for doing exceptionally well on the field. But also at the auction table, they have come out on top with their management skills, knowing which players can play what role and understanding all the marquee details, always making them one of the favourite franchises in the IPL. This time, just before the mega auction, they have retained Ruturaj Gaikwad (INR 18 crore), Ravindra Jadeja (INR 18 crore), Matheesha Pathirana (INR 13 crore), Shivam Dube (INR 12 crore), and MS Dhoni (INR 4 crore). This means five players are already in the mix, and since six is the maximum number of players any IPL team can retain, CSK has the opportunity to retain one more player. They can do this now via the RTM card in the IPL 2025 mega auction, and the auction is not far away. Currently, CSK has INR 55 crores in their purse and one Right-To-Match card. The RTM card allows IPL teams to buy back one player from their released squad members if he is bought by another franchise in the auction, which is surely a boon for teams. So, which one player will CSK look to get back via the RTM card? Check out three quality players, one of whom CSK can bring back via the RTM card in the IPL 2025 auction.
Players CSK might target with RTM card
Rachin Ravindra
We may see RCB going high for Rachin Ravindra, but from CSK’s perspective, it will be better to get him back. Playing for New Zealand, we have seen how much of a dent he made to Indian Test cricket recently, especially in the first two Test games with his batting. Also, last year, his batting in the 50-over World Cup came into the spotlight, where he made 578 runs. In the IPL 2024, he also got some decent starts for CSK and made 222 runs in 10 games with a 160 strike rate. It came as a surprise when he got released by CSK, as people were expecting that the team might retain him. However, there is still a chance available for CSK to get him back via the RTM card. Since he also provides some overs cushion, with a bowling economy of just 7.07, it shows how valuable an all-rounder he could be. CSK might pick Ravindra once again using the RTM card.
Devon Conway
One more Kiwi who can catch CSK’s attention once again is Devon Conway, and now many believe that he is the one whom CSK will buy back once again. It will surely not come as a surprise, since everyone is well aware of how much destruction this left-hander can do to the bowlers. CSK has a history of backing overseas openers, from Matthew Hayden to Shane Watson, all of whom have given the camp their best results in the past. The same applies to Conway. In the time he has played for CSK, he has scored a total of 924 runs in 22 innings at an average of 48, with nine fifties to his name. Not to forget, he was one of the main men, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, whose stability at the top order and tons of runs helped the camp win the 2023 IPL.
Maheesh Theekshana
Can Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana once again get back into CSK? The chances are there, since everyone is aware of his spin variations and how dangerous he can be. In 2023, he was also one of the key players for CSK, with 11 wickets in a season, and he played a crucial role in the team’s success. His ability to control the run rate makes him one of the most impressive names in the IPL, and we may see CSK show interest in bringing him back via the RTM card. However, it’s also important to note that the team has released Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar, who could also be in line for this competition. This makes it interesting to see how CSK use their one remaining RTM card.
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