CSK to retain Dhoni, Jadeja, Gaikwad and Dube along with SL's Pathirana ahead of mega auction

Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are all set to retain MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube and Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana ahead of October 31 deadline. With five retentions, they'll be left with one right-to-match (RTM) option at the upcoming mega auction.

The amount at which CSK will retain players is not out yet but they are expected to spend around INR 65 crore (around US $8 million) out of the total budget of INR 120 crore (US $14 million). The development was reported by cricket news website ESPNCricinfo which also suggested that Dhoni will be retained as an uncapped player.

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Recently, MS Dhoni was asked about his lingering retirement from the cash-rich T20 league and had said that he'd like to 'enjoy last few years.'

“I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I can play,” the 43-year-old had said at a promotional event, as quoted by Times of India.

“When you play cricket like a professional sport, it becomes difficult to enjoy it just like a game. That’s what I want to do. It’s not easy. The emotions keep coming, the commitments are there. I want to enjoy the game for the next few years,” he continued.

The IPL has revived the rule under which a player who has not played for India for last five years in any format (or retired for five years) will be considered as an uncapped player.

All 10 teams have a total of six retention and RTM options, which they can use in a combination as well. For example, if a team retains only one player, then it'll have five RTM options at the auction and vice versa.

The mega auction is expected to take place some time next month, with many big names up for grabs by all 10 teams.