Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has thrown his weight behind MS Dhoni’s retention for Chennai Super Kings’ upcoming IPL 2025 season. Speaking to Star Sports, Singh stressed the need to keep the iconic captain in the squad, even if he falls under the uncapped player category as per new retention rules. Teams are now racing against time to finalise their strategies before the 31 October retention deadline.
New Rules Could Benefit CSK
The recently updated retention policy could play into CSK’s hands. Players who retired from international cricket five years prior to the season or haven’t played internationally during that time can now be labelled as uncapped.
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This change might allow CSK to retain Dhoni, who hung up his international boots on 15 August 2020, for a mere INR 4 crore instead of a heftier sum. Such a move would give the team more wiggle room within their INR 120 crore budget.
Singh’s Retention Roadmap
Harbhajan Singh laid out a detailed retention plan for CSK, highlighting five crucial players. “After Dhoni, I’d pick Ravindra Jadeja, followed by Rachin Ravindra. Ruturaj Gaikwad, as captain, is a must-retain,” Singh explained. He also advocated for keeping pace sensation Pathirana, praising his bowling prowess. While Singh hinted at a possible surprise uncapped player selection, he believes CSK might stick to these five retentions.
Waiting on Dhoni’s Call
At 43, Dhoni’s participation in the upcoming season remains up in the air. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has confirmed that the former skipper is yet to make his final decision about playing in IPL 2025. The franchise expects to have clarity on this matter before the month-end retention deadline.
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Despite CSK’s early exit last season after missing the playoffs following a loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore, Dhoni’s potential return continues to be a key factor in the team’s planning for the upcoming season.
