Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan has said that MS Dhoni could keep playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) even after the 2025 season if he wants to.
Viswanathan shared that Dhoni, who likes to keep his plans private, is welcome to stay with CSK in the IPL for as long as he wishes.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) retained five players for their team before the 2025 IPL mega auction. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and top all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja are in the highest salary category, each earning INR 18 crore.
Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has been kept for INR 13 crore, and all-rounder Shivam Dube for INR 12 crore.
CSK retained the legendary MS Dhoni as its fifth player. Dhoni will earn INR 4 crore. For the upcoming season of IPL, the former captain is listed in the “uncapped” category.
CSK still has plenty to plan for the big auction on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 1,574 players have registered for the auction, and the BCCI will soon choose a shortlist from them.
In an interview with Ambati Rayudu on Provoke TV, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said they have no plans to let go of MS Dhoni. He shared that the legendary captain will decide on his future whenever he feels ready.
“As far as Mahi bhai (brother) is concerned, you know he keeps everything to himself. It comes out at the last moment only. Knowing the passion he has for CSK, and also knowing the following he has, and he also mentioned in one of the interviews that he’ll play his last game in Chennai, we’re hoping that he will continue as far as CSK is concerned. As long as MS wants to play, the doors are open. Knowing him, his commitment, and his dedication, I’m sure he’ll always make the right decision.”
CSK CEO also talked about the retention ahead and described the culture of Chennai Super Kings management.
“As always, you (Rayudu) know better than me about the culture at CSK in the sense that we have always tried to have the core of the team. Initially, we had conversations with both Ruturaj, the captain and also MS, along with Fleming before we decided on the retentions.”
“And, we were very clear that the players would help the team to grow, (those) who had stabilized the team in the previous years. It was very easy to decide on the retentions. Ruturaj, Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja), who has had a great impact on CSK, and MS you don’t have to talk about, and Shivam Dube, which we had groomed, and MS had groomed,” he said.
“So, we thought we should stick with them. As all of us know, Pathirana is going to be a bowler who is going to be really useful for any team he goes (to), so we thought he’ll be another one whom we can retain,” he added.
