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The possibility of Rishabh Pant joining the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction has been a topic of much speculation. Following his release from the Delhi Capitals and India's recent T20 World Cup victory, rumours have swirled about CSK's interest in acquiring the talented wicketkeeper-batsman. In a conversation with former CSK player Ambati Rayudu on Provoke TV, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan shed light on the team's plans, confirming discussions about Pant while emphasizing the importance of retaining their core players.
Viswanathan stated that CSK had extensive discussions with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, MS Dhoni, and coach Stephen Fleming prior to deciding on their player retentions. They made a conscious decision to prioritize players who had significantly contributed to the team's growth and stability in recent years. As a result, Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhoni, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana were retained for the 2025 season. This decision, however, limited CSK's purse for the auction, potentially hindering their ability to compete with other teams for top Indian players.
The presence of high-profile Indian players like Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer in the auction pool has heightened the anticipation surrounding the event. All three players led their respective franchises prior to entering the auction and have been placed in the INR 2 crore price category. While CSK's pursuit of Pant remains a possibility, their focus on retaining their core players suggests a more cautious approach towards the auction. It remains to be seen whether CSK will make a strong bid for Pant or prioritize other players to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.