Former New Zealand cricket team player Simon Doull has made a huge statement regarding MS Dhoni’s successor at Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He believes that Rishabh Pant should take over the baton and the franchise should replace him in the auction.
Simon Doull continues to pick Chennai Super Kings to stay. The former New Zealand national cricket team cricketer went on to pick Ruturaj Gaikwad as the team’s best retained player along with Ravindra Jadeja and Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana.
Ruturaj Gaikwad, then Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, I think absolutely. – Simon Doull on holding CSK
While talking about MS Dhoni, Simon Doull felt that the goalkeeper batsman will be there next season as well. He said the former team captain was the franchise man and the team should hold on to him. He explained in an interview with Jio Cinema:
“Ruturaj Gaikwad, and I think the tree top Ravindra Jadeja is absolutely there and Matheesha Pathirana is absolutely there. I saw the MS coming out and said I would let you know the day before I was allowed to retain it.
“He’s currently on a bit of a leash on whether he’ll be there or not. Obviously, if he’s available and ready to go, he’s another guy they should grab. He’s a franchise man.”
MS Dhoni has confirmed that he will play in IPL 2025.
Ruturaj Gaikwad was appointed captain for last year after MS Dhoni relinquished the leadership. Although he had a decent season as captain, he was the team’s best batsman in the Indian Premier League.
On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja has been the team’s MVP for a long time and Matheesha Pathirana has been the team’s best pacer. He is a product of Chennai Super Kings and they will certainly not want to let him go.
There were reports that MS Dhoni has confirmed that he will feature in IPL 2025 and will remain an uncapped player. Along with him, Ravindra Jadeja is expected to be the first retainer after Ruturaj Gaikwad and Matheesha Pathirana.
He is the man who took Dhoni everywhere after MS – from Simon Doull to Rishabh Pant.
There were reports claiming that Rishabh Pant is likely to participate in the auction. Reports claimed that Delhi Capitals want to retain Pant but do not want to give him a leadership role.
Simon Doull believes that if Rishabh Pant comes up for auction, Chennai Super Kings should go for him in a big way. He believes that the young player is the one who will improve the team. He added:
“After watching this series, I think Rachin Ravindra. And as I said the other day, I think Rishabh Pant will get a huge price when he goes to auction. He is the one who will take them to the mail. MS Dhoni could be anywhere,” he concluded.
