Lelang IPL 2025: Akankah CSK membeli Rishabh Pant? CEO Kasi Viswanathan menjelaskan

While many have already predicted that after DC did not retain Rishabh Pant during IPL Retention, CSK might bid for him at the IPL Auction 2025. But then, MS Dhoni’s CSK has already spent quite a lot from their purse of INR 120 Cr, to retain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, MSD, Ravindra Jadeja, and Matheesha Pathirana, and might be able to afford Rishabh now.

They are left with a purse of 55 Cr, and getting the southpaw realistically would cost them at least additional 25 Cr. In that case, rest of the squad would look depleted. Now, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has responded to all these rumours, and indirectly quashed them as well.

While talking to Ambati Rayudu on Provoke TV, Kasi made it clear that CSK is more interested in buying back their own players. “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.

“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 added.