There is hardly any more consistent team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) than the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Yes, the Mumbai Indians (MI) have won an equal amount of trophies at 5 but the Yellow Army has qualified for as many as 10 IPL finals while playing 15 editions. The biggest news for them at the IPL 2025 Retention was certainly MS Dhoni continuing his legacy at the franchise. Dhoni handed the captaincy duties to Ruturaj Gaikwad on the eve of IPL 2024 and he is their joint-top retention pick alongside Ravindra Jadeja at Rs 18 crore.
Apart from this, CSK also kept Shivam Dube and Matheesha Pathirana for a combined total of Rs 25 crore. Due to this, they are left with just Rs 55 crore. With this budget, CSK are unlikely to get several big names. But they are known for having shrewd calls at the auction table. With the mega auction slated to happen on November 24-25, we have made a “Dream XI” for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Below, we have put the best possible combination that the CSK could pick at the auction. While we know that no one can predict what happens at an IPL auction, it’s important to note that this is a purely speculative exercise. On that note, let’s hop into it!
CSK – 1. Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
Ruturaj Gaikwad played multiple knocks while batting at number three last season. However, he is best suited at the top of the order, allowing the CSK captain to anchor innings. Gaikwad plays with a positive mindset and loves to put his best foot forward right from the start. For CSK, he has been a wonderful talent, averaging 41.75 which is the best at the franchise among players with over 1000 runs. In 65 innings, he has mustered 2,380 at a SR of 136.86. With his India T20 spot up in the air as well, Gaikwad needs to have a great IPL 2025 season too.
CSK – 2. Jos Buttler (O)
Dynamic English wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has been a thorn in Chennai Super Kings’ side in recent years, with his destructive batting prowess. In fact, he has made 367 runs at an average and SR of 45.88 and 140, respectively. After RR released him, Buttler would be a hot property at the IPL auction and if CSK have him, it would set up a stellar opening duo.
CSK – 3. Rahul Tripathi
Well, this is certainly a left-field option here. But yes Rahul Tripathi could be a dark horse for CSK. Just like the franchise revived Ajinkya Rahane’s career, Tripathi could be as perfect for them. After all, he has all the abilities to shine through. In both 2022 and 2023, Tripathi scored over 500 runs in the format. In fact, in 2022, he operated at a SR of 153.58. The Indian international has been lost after a sudden surge a few years back but look out for him at the auction!
CSK – 4. Glenn Maxwell (O)
Wow! Another yellow jersey for Glenn Maxwell. Surely, he is one of those volatile players but the mighty Aussie could be tailor made for CSK, who like to have multi-faceted players. Just like Buttler, even Maxwell has a great record while playing against CSK, having made 380 runs at a superb strike rate of 186.27. CSK would love to have his ball-striking and handy off-spin bowling on the Chepauk track.
CSK – 5. Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube was undoubtedly one of CSK’s sure shot retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 auction. While he was bought for Rs 4 cr in the auction before IPL 2022, he has now received a pay raise by getting retained at Rs 12 cr. Dube has made waves in IPL, season after season, with his explosive hitting. CSK have been reliant on Shivam Dube in the middle-order and the batter has delivered on most occasions. A six-hitting monster, Dube smashed 35 sixes in IPL 2023 and 28 in 2024, boasting of 101 sixes from 65 matches.
CSK – 6. Ravindra Jadeja
Along with Gaikwad, CSK veteran Ravindra Jadeja was obviously their top retention for Rs 18 cr. The former CSK skipper has been an integral part of team and was CSK’s highest retention ahead of IPL 2022. The all-rounder will continue to render his services to the Men in Yellow in IPL 2025. Having retired from T20Is following the World Cup, IPL 2025 will be Jadeja’s first outing in the format since June 2024. Jaddu is a bona-fide legend at the franchise, having made 2959 runs alongside 160 wickets.
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CSK – 7. MS Dhoni (wk)
Talking about legends, and we have MS Dhoni quite fittingly at number seven! MS Dhoni will continue his legacy in IPL as he embarks on a fresh journey, this time as an uncapped player. The CSK management were delighted by Thala’s confirmation and made it very clear that MS Dhoni was a sure shot retention. Dhoni has been retained for Rs 4 cr by CSK, and has taken a pay cut from what he used to earn previously. It remains to be seen how Dhoni would take care of his injuries and fitness in his 18th season of the cash-rich league.
CSK – 8. Ravichandran Ashwin
A homecoming for Ravichandran Ashwin maybe on the cards! He is already CSK academy’s head and is a Tamil Nadu superstar. The veteran off-spinner started his IPL journey at CSK, where he picked up 120 wickets, including 30 in the Champions League T20. Ashwin’s knack for improvement despite his age (38) is a huge sportsmanship by the former PBKS captain. There were previous reports as well that CSK might be looking out at the auction for Ashwin.
CSK – 9. Deepak Chahar
With just six retentions possible, CSK didn’t retain Deepak Chahar ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. But, like last time (2022), expect the franchise to buy him back. The traditional swing pacer would obviously be a powerplay specialist, like he has been all these years. He even hinted that CSK will go after him at the auction. Chahar has played 76 of his 81 matches for CSK and is their 5th highest wicket-taker of all time. Coming back after an injury, Chahar would love to prove a point to his fans! His inclusion also elongates the batting order, just what CSK like to have.
CSK – 10. T Natarajan
One of the most underrated bowlers in India, T Natarajan could be another high value pick. With SRH retaining their core batting group, his signing could be highly beneficial for CSK. He will only be a local lad the franchise but would complement Matheesha Pathirana quite well as both are renowned for bowling skillfully at the death. Last IPL season, he claimed 19 wickets in 14 games. While he is a bit injury prone, Nattu could add that left-arm variety as well.
CSK – 11. Matheesha Pathirana
Last but not the least is CSK’s only specialist bowling retention – Matheesha Pathirana. His retention comes as no surprise, given that the Sri Lankan has gone on to become one of CSK’s lethal bowlers. He entered the CSK camp in 2022 as a replacement for Adam Milne but went out and made a name for himself instead, earning him the title ‘baby Malinga’. With 34 wickets from 20 matches, Pathirana has been a consistent wicket-taker for the side since his debut in 2022. It must be mentioned that Pathirana is having a crazy 2024, where he has picked up 62 wickets at an economy of 7.70 across just 35 innings in T20s!
Dream XI for CSK at IPL 2025 Auction
| No. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
| 2 | Jos Buttler |
| 3 | Rahul Tripathi |
| 4 | Glenn Maxwell |
| 5 | Shivam Dube |
| 6 | Ravindra Jadeja |
| 7 | MS Dhoni |
| 8 | Ravichandran Ashwin |
| 9 | Deepak Chahar |
| 10 | T Natarajan |
| 11 | Matheesha Pathirana |
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