MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are inextricably linked, each embodying the essence of the other. As we approach the retention deadline of October 31, it’s clear that CSK plans to retain their legendary former captain for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, ensuring that Dhoni will grace the field once again in the next season.
As the retention rules and regulations for uncapped players have changed ahead of the auction, this decision could prove advantageous for the franchise, allowing them to retain their star player, Dhoni, for just Rs 4 crore.
CSK players retained in every IPL mega auction
| Year | Retentions |
| 2011 | MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay, Albie Morkel |
| 2014 | Dhoni, Raina, Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin |
| 2018 | Dhoni, Raina and Jadeja, Faf Du Plessis (RTM), Dwayne Bravo (RTM) |
| 2022 | Jadeja, Dhoni, Moeen Ali, Ruturaj Gaikwad |
In inaugural IPL auction in 2011, the CSK chose to retain four players: captain Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Murali Vijay, and Albie Morkel. Dhoni, Raina, Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin were among the top Indian players retained by the India Cements-owned team in 2014. Raina, Ashwin, and Jadeja were retained for Rs 9.50 Crore, Rs 7.50 Crore, and Rs 5.50 Crore, respectively, while Dhoni was retained for Rs 12.50 Crore.
When CSK returned to the league in 2018, they kept its big three players—Dhoni, Raina, and Jadeja. For Rs 15 crore, MSD was retained, followed by Raina at Rs 11 crore and Jadeja at Rs 7 crore.Additionally, the Yellow Brigade utilized the RTM card to repurchase several of their important players, including Dwayne Bravo, an all-rounder for the West Indies, for Rs 6.4 crore and South African batsman Faf Du Plessis for Rs 1.6 crore.
When two new teams joined the league in 2022, the Chennai Super Kings decided to keep England all-rounder Moeen Ali for Rs 8 Crore, Ruturaj Gaikwad for Rs 6 Crore, Jadeja for the highest slab of Rs 16 Crore, and Dhoni for the second highest slab of Rs 12 Crore.
