IPL 2025 Mega Auction: Kasi Viswanathan addresses CSK chasing Rishabh Pant rumours, says ‘discussions were…’

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan has addressed rumours about the franchise chasing India gloveman Rishabh Pant at the upcoming IPL mega auction 2025. With CSK veteran MS Dhoni in the twilight stage of his IPL career, indicating wanting to enjoy his last few years in this cash-rich league, the Chennai-based outfit would be keen to bring in his like-to-like replacement, and what’s better than doing it at the mega auction scheduled in Jeddah on November 24 and 25.

For the first time since rumours of CSK wanting to bag Pant’s services at the auction began doing rounds, Kasi, while speaking with former CSK batter and trophy-winner Ambati Rayudu, broke his silence, insisting that discussions around the same took place with the captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Dhoni, CSK would aim to chase their core players instead of going after big names.

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It has been CSK’s strategy to retain their core players since the outset, a testament to their success in this league. With CSK retaining only five players, including Gaikwad, Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube and Matheesha Pathirana, and considering their remaining purse of INR 55 crore out of INR 120-crore purse, chasing big Indian names, including Pant, KL Rahul or even Shreyas Iyer, could be out of their reach.

Kasi also admitted they discussed these scenarios before releasing the final retention list.

"We had discussions with Ruturaj, the captain, MS (Dhoni) and Coach Stephen Fleming before we decided on the retentions. We were very clear that the players that helped the team grow, stabilise in the previous years were the ones very important for the CSK team to continue further," Kasi said, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

"It was very easy to decide on the retentions -- Gaikwad, Jaddu, MS, Shivam Dube and Matheesha Pathirana. But we knew that if we retain these players, we would have a lesser purse to go into the auction. We knew that we wouldn't be able to compete with the other teams when it comes to the best of the Indian players. I mean, we will still try, but I don't think we'll be able to get them at the auction," he continued.

CSK targets ex-players

With several players in the pipeline for CSK to go after from their previous squad, the Kiwi pair of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra, Sri Lanka spinner Mahesh Theekshana and Indian seamer Deepak Chahar are among the favourites.

The five-time IPL winner could also get after local players picked during earlier auctions this time.

(With inputs from agencies)