IPL 2025: Uncapped Players CSK Can Retain Ahead Of Mega Auction
Uncapped Players CSK Can Retain Ahead Of Mega Auction [Source: @SergioCSKK/X.com]
With the IPL 2025 mega auction coming up, there's a lot of excitement about which players teams will keep and which ones they’ll let go. The IPL governing council has updated the rules, allowing each team to hold onto six players, with at least one of them being uncapped, and a maximum of two uncapped players.
Among the teams, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has always been one of the most popular, thanks to their consistent performances and legendary captain. Although they won the 2023 season, they didn’t make it to the playoffs in 2024. Let’s take a look at the uncapped players CSK might decide to keep.
MS Dhoni
There are rumours that CSK might retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player due to the new rules. These rules state that any Indian player who hasn't played in the starting 11 for international cricket in the past five years and doesn’t have a central contract with the BCCI can be considered uncapped. Even though Dhoni is a legend, he fits into this category.
Dhoni has done wonders for CSK, leading them to five IPL titles. Despite playing with a knee injury last season, he still performed well, scoring 161 runs in 14 innings with an impressive strike rate of 220.5, which was the third highest of the season. His ability to lead and finish games makes him a strong candidate for CSK to retain, even as an uncapped player.
Sameer Rizvi
If CSK decides to retain a second uncapped player, Sameer Rizvi could be their pick. He was bought for ₹8.4 crores in the IPL 2024 auction, and although he didn’t get many chances, he managed to score 51 runs in 8 innings with a strike rate of 118.60, showing some promise.
Rizvi’s real strength has been in the UP T20 League, where he captained the Kanpur Superstars. In just three games, he scored 137 runs with an average of over 45. His performance caught a lot of attention, making him a potential player for CSK to retain before the 2025 season.