Chennai Super Kings CEO Kashi Vishwanathan admitted that it would be tough for the side to go big for KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant in IPL 2025 auction. Rahul and Pant – both who were captains of LSG and DC – were released by the franchise ahead of the auction. While reports of CSK interested to go heavy on Rishabh Pant did round earlier, the CSK chief has now confirmed that it is highly unlikely to happen.
No KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant to CSK in IPL 2025?
Speaking on a podcast to Provoke TV, the CSK CEO said that the team knows they can’t compete with other sides for best Indian players in IPL 2025 auction. Vishwanathan admitted that the chances of the team roping in KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant was very little. Incidentally, CSK have both a keeper and a captain – MS Dhoni and Ruturaj Gaikwad – respectively. Hence, the role of of KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant in CSK is quite uncertain.
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CSK have opted to retain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Matheesha Pathirana and uncapped MS Dhoni ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. This leaves the team with a salary purse of Rs 55 crore. Going for any player like Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul would mean the five-time champions will have to shell out some big bucks. And if they do so, then they will be limited in terms of building a balanced squad.
As for Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul, there are multiple franchises who are interested to rope in the stars to lead their side. It all comes down to the two-day mega-event in Jeddah later in November.