IPL Auction 2025: Key Players Chennai Super Kings May Target For RTM Card

Chennai Super Kings are gearing up to build a formidable team for the Indian Premier League 2025 season. The franchise, which has claimed the IPL title five times, has retained five players from last season. They will enter the auction with Rs 55 crore in their purse.

The retained players include Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana. Former India captain MS Dhoni is also retained as an uncapped player. With these retentions, CSK will have one Right to Match (RTM) card available for the mega auction.

The IPL's new cycle begins with a mega auction in Jeddah on November 24 and 25. CSK released several notable players ahead of this event. The list includes Ajay Mandal, Ajinkya Rahane, Deepak Chahar, Devon Conway, Maheesh Theekshana, Mitchell Santner, Moeen Ali, Mukesh Choudhary, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Shaik Rasheed, Simarjeet Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Rachin Ravindra, Shardul Thakur, Daryl Mitchell, Sameer Rizvi, Mustafizur Rahman and Avanish Rao Aravelly.

In this auction format, if a team wins a bid for a player and another team matches it using an RTM card, the original team can reclaim the player by matching the new bid. This gives teams a strategic advantage in retaining key players.

CSK might consider using their RTM card on certain players. Deepak Chahar had an injury-hit IPL 2024 season with only eight appearances and five wickets. Despite his Rs 14 crore signing in IPL 2022 not living up to expectations, he could be considered if available at a lower price.

Devon Conway had an outstanding IPL 2023 with CSK by scoring 672 runs and helping them secure their fifth title. Although he missed last season due to injury, his partnership with Gaikwad was crucial. CSK may aim to bring him back using the RTM card.

Mustafizur Rahman impressed during IPL 2024 by taking 14 wickets in nine matches for CSK. Known as 'Fizz', he could continue with CSK if they decide to use their RTM card on him. His inclusion would complete their overseas pacer lineup alongside Matheesha Pathirana.

Mitchell Santner has been in excellent form recently across formats. As a left-arm spinner from New Zealand who excelled against India in Tests recently, he could bolster CSK's spin attack alongside Ravindra Jadeja if they choose to re-sign him through the RTM option.

The upcoming auction presents an opportunity for Chennai Super Kings to strategically strengthen their squad while considering past performances and potential future contributions of released players.