Chennai Super Kings tease IPL retentions with cryptic post

One of the most successful franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League, Chennai Super Kings, teased their potential retentions on Tuesday, October 29. CSK took to Twitter and asked their fans to vote for players that they would like to see retained ahead of the mega-auction.
CSK used specific emojis of 5 players in its tweet. Fans played the guessing game and spotted that the franchise had used emojis of helicopter, the fruit kiwi and rocket, which might be a reference to the likes of MS Dhoni, Rachin Ravindra and Matheesha Pathirana.

CSK

A section of fans decoded other meanings from the emojis in the hopes that they got the retention message from the franchise. While CSK teased their retention list, it is nearly certain that legendary MS Dhoni will return for at least one more season in the Indian Premier League.
S Dhoni has hinted at a possible return for IPL 2025, stating he wants to enjoy “whatever last few years of cricket” he can, amid ongoing speculation about his future with CSK. Questions surrounding Dhoni’s plans began when he handed the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad last season and started batting lower in the order.
IPL Retention Buzz: Live Updates
Dhoni, now 43, handed over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad last season and adopted a new batting role, often coming in lower in the order. This change led to discussions about his future as he focused on mentoring younger players. Recently, Dhoni shared his current mindset at a promotional event in Goa, stating, “I just want to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I’m able to play. Like how during our childhood, we used to go out and play at 4 pm, just enjoying the game.”
With franchise player retention lists due by October 31 for the upcoming mega auction, Dhoni’s future in the squad is a key focus. A rule reintroduced this year allows players who retired from international cricket more than five years ago to be classified as uncapped. This may allow CSK to retain Dhoni in a strategic way that benefits both the team and its captain.
CSK’s CEO Kasi Viswanathan expressed hope that Dhoni would return for the next season. The former skipper’s adjusted role has been a deliberate decision, explained Dhoni, who wanted to give younger players like Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube the opportunity to prove themselves ahead of the T20 World Cup.
“My thinking was simple, if others are doing their job well, why do I need to come up the order?” Dhoni said, explaining his position change last season. “We have to give people fighting for a spot a chance.”