'They’re just going to go heavily for Rishabh Pant if he goes into auction' - Simon Doull namedrops MS Dhoni's replacement for Chennai Super Kings

Cricket fever is on and it will only soar higher as the mega cricket fiesta aka the Indian Premier League (IPL) is inching closer. Hence, the latest changes and tweaks in the rules and regulations for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auctions have got both the fans and cricket experts buzzing. Hence, the former New Zealand pacer and now renowned commentator Simon Doull has dropped Rishabh Pant as the new and apt successor of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) stalwart, MS Dhoni.

For the unversed, the last deadline set as per the governing council of the tournament is October 31, and all the 10 teams will be thinking hard about whom to retain along with various possibilities. Interestingly, with recent developments and speculations around Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise, the chances of Pant going into the auctions cannot be denied. Hence, the southpaw will be an interesting option for the teams to battle for as he also has captaincy experience.

Besides, apart from putting his views forth for Chennai Super Kings' aspirations, he also mentioned possible players who could most likely be retained in the IPL auctions. Doull believes that players like MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja and the current Captain of the side, Ruturaj Gaikwad, will be earmarked names in the team management's mind.

"Ruturaj Gaikwad then top of the tree Ravindra Jadeja absolutely there, Matheesha Pathirana I think absolutely. I see MS come out and say that I will let you know the day before the retentions are allowed. He’s keeping them on a little bit of a string at the moment as to whether he is gonna be there. Obviously, if he’s available and ready to go, he’s another one they have to keep a hold of. He’s the franchise man,” Doull told Sports18.

Also Read: 'I just want to enjoy' - MS Dhoni drops huge hint on IPL 2025 participation

Moving forward, he also came up with Rachin Ravindra's name for the Chennai-based franchise in the context of having young legs and the future of the squad in the cash-rich league. The key reason is that now as Dhoni is in the twilight of his already illustrious IPL career, the think tank will look to shape up the squad starting from the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auctions.

“After what I’ve seen in this series I think Rachin Ravindra. And as I said the other day, I think they’re just going to go heavily for Rishabh Pant if he goes into auction. He’s their man to take them through post MS Dhoni wherever that maybe,” Doull concluded.

Pant asked his fans about his possible role in IPL 2025 auctions

Interestingly, not long ago, Rishabh Pant stirred the auction pot by posting a tweet where he asked his fans what if he were into the IPL auctions, what would happen next? Which teams fans believe will go all out for him and how much price will he fetch from those interested franchises?

Hence, it was possible an indication for other teams to take note of the tweet and start preparing for a price war to grab one of the most exciting stumper-batter of team India, who showed his strong mettle by overcoming the scars of a near-fatal road accident.