The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are gearing up for the IPL 2025 mega auction, having retained five players ahead of the bidding day on November 24 and 25.
With INR 65 crores already spent, CSK has INR 55 crores left to bolster their squad.
Chennai Super Kings squad list for IPL 2025
Mumbai Indians have retained the following five players ahead of the 2025 IPL auction:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
- Shivam Dube
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Matheesha Pathirana
- MS Dhoni (uncapped)
| Player | Role | Retention Cost |
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | Batsman | INR 18 crore |
| Matheesha Pathirana | Bowler | INR 13 crore |
| Shivam Dube | All-rounder | INR 12 crore |
| Ravindra Jadeja | All-rounder | INR 18 crore |
| MS Dhoni | Wicketkeeper (Uncapped) | INR 4 crore |
These players form the core of CSK’s squad, with several key positions still open to be filled during the auction.
Which players should CSK buy in the IPL 2025 auction?
Now that we know the retained players, let’s take a look at potential targets for CSK to consider at the auction:
- Ishan Kishan
The left-hander could solve CSK’s headache for an opener, left-hander, and Indian wicketkeeper at the same time, while securing his future at the franchise as MS Dhoni’s successor from Jharkhand. - Marcus Stoinis
The Australian batting all-round possesses the firepower to bat at the top order and as a finisher.
Along with his exploits as a batter, his medium-pace and variations could suit the pitches at Chepauk.
- Jitesh Sharma
Released by PBKS earlier, Jitesh expressed his desire to play for either MI or CSK in the upcoming seasons. However, Punjab could also use a RTM on him.
If picked, he could play the role of a good finisher and a wicketkeeper in the team.
- R Ashwin
The 38-year-old off-spinner is a former CSK player and has great connections to the city of Chennai. The next 3 years is possibly his last cycle of the IPL, and the team could use his experience and advice for setting up the franchise’s future.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
While his India playing career has been long over, the UP pacer has shown his quality for SRH in recent years.
With a doubt on Deepak Chahar’s fitness and possible return to CSK, Bhuvi could be a good alternative, who offers a similar skillset with more experience.
MORE: IPL auction date 2025: All the details about next year’s ‘Mega Auction’
- Gerald Coetzee
The South African bowling all-rounder can bowl at express pace while also cleverly utilizing his variations.
He has represented Jo’burg based Super Kings franchise in SA20 and has the skillsets with the bat to turn the game around for his side.
- Glenn Maxwell
CSK have loved to have an overseas all-rounder in their side. In recent years, they have targetted a hitter, who is also a spinner in the team.
In the recent cycle, they had Moeen Ali but in the 2022 mega auction, they had targetted Maxwell as well, going past the 14 Cr, before losing him to RCB.
- Venkatesh Iyer
The Madhya Pradesh star was a key player for KKR in their trophy-run season last year. The southpaw could also bowl some medium-pace and can bat either at number 3 or in the opening slot. - Glenn Phillips
The New Zealand player is a great utility player for any side in the IPL. He can be an aggressive batter, do the wicket-keeping duty, bowl decent off-spin and is also a gun-fielder in the outfield.
CSK are likely to target him for the same reasons as they have for Maxwell or Liam Livingstone.
- Abhinav Manohar
Manohar was under-utilized by the Titans last season, but he will be on the radar of several teams after his exploits in the Maharaja T20 trophy 2024. He could be an ideal finisher for CSK for the future. - Maheesh Theekshana
CSK needs a spinner alongside Ravindra Jadeja and the Sri Lankan has done the job for them previously. They are likely to bring him back to the franchise in 2025. - Gurjapneet Singh
The 6.5 ft pacer from Tamil Nadu is still an unknown commodity for a large group of people, but he is an impressive left-arm pacer, who has consistently performed in the TNPL.
He recently picked up a 6-fer on his Ranji debut, guiding TN to a stunning victory.
Which players will CSK sign using RTM cards?
CSK has one Right to Match (RTM) card left, which they can use for uncapped players. Two candidates stand out for CSK’s RTM options:
- Devon Conway
The chemistry between CSK openers Conway and Gaikwad has been good in the last seasons.
The team generally prefers to have an overseas opener at the top, and the Kiwi batter will be on top of their list, given his added role as a wicketkeeper.
- Rachin Ravindra
The Kiwi southpaw impressed during the recent Test series in India. While he was inconsistent last year for CSK, he played several knocks with good impact at a high-strike rate.