EXCLUSIVE: Harbhajan Singh predicts CSK’s retentions ahead of IPL 2025 mega auction

Harbhajan Singh named four players Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could retain ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction during an exclusive chat with CricTracker on the sidelines of the ongoing Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2024. The legendary off-spinner is currently captaining defending champions Manipal Tigers in the franchise league.

Harbhajan, who played two seasons for CSK and won the IPL in 2018, reckons that MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, and Maheesh Theekshana could be the four players the Men in Yellow could retain ahead of the mega auction.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rolled out the new retention policy last week. The Board stated that a franchise can retain up to six players. It includes five capped and one uncapped player. The door has been left ajar for Dhoni, who can play as an uncapped player after having retired from international cricket in August 2020. He will only get INR 4 crore instead of the INR 12 crore he was obliged with ahead of the 2022 auctions.

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Dhoni handed the captaincy of CSK to Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2024. The Chennai-based franchise looked set to reach the playoffs under the right-handed batter's leadership. However, they had to be content with a fifth-place finish.

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja has been an integral part of the five-time champions for several years and it wasn't a surprise when Harbhajan picked his name among CSK's possible retentions. However, Maheesh Theekshana was an interesting choice from Harbhajan as the Sri Lankan mystery spinner didn't have a memorable time last season in the IPL.

How did Harbhajan Singh's picks perform in IPL 2024?

Dhoni took up a role in the team where he would face only a few deliveries at the backend of CSK's innings and try and get as many runs as possible. The Ranchi-born had a mind-boggling strike rate of 220.55 in the season as he smashed 161 runs at an average of 53.67.

Meanwhile, Gaikwad led from the front as he amassed 583 runs at an average of 53 and a strike rate of 141.16 in the season. He registered four half-centuries and a solitary ton, finishing as the second-highest run-getter in IPL 2024 after Virat Kohli.

Also Read: 'I'm a huge fan of Mohammad Shami' - Harbhajan Singh ahead of BGT 2024-25

Jadeja was more effective with the bat than with the ball in IPL 2024. The Saurashtra all-rounder scored 267 runs at an average of 44.50 and a strike rate of 142.78. Meanwhile, with the ball, he took eight wickets, averaging 46.13.

Theekshana only played five matches for the Men in Yellow in IPL 2024. He could only pick two wickets at an abysmal average of 72. However, his economy rate was a decent 7.20, his best in a particular IPL season.