'It was very easy..': Kasi Viswanath Clarifies Whether CSK Will Target Rishabh Pant In IPL Auctions

Explosive India batter Rishabh Pant is touted as the hottest property for the upcoming IPL 2025 Mega Auctions. With a base price set at Rs. 2 crore, every franchise is expected to enter the pool to acquire the services of the wicketkeeper-batsman, who might also be given the captaincy helm. As the opportunity looms, five-time IPL winners Chennai Super Kings may also latch onto it. But will they? CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath weighed in on the subject.

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Kasi Viswanath On The Possibility Of CSK Roping In Rishabh Pant 

Some of the biggest and most notable names in the world of cricket have represented the Yellow outfit over the years, and an association between MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant is what the fraternity and fans would look forward to. Team India's past playing along and grooming the team's present. Moreover, as Pant is already seen by many as the heir of MS Dhoni, thus, him leading CSK under the guidance of MSD, could put an end to the uncertainty phase in the team.

Hence, Rishabh Pant in CSK presents an ideal picture, but according to the franchise's CEO Kasi Viswanath, it would be unlikely to rope in the star batter in the upcoming IPL mega auctions.

"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 told Provoke TV.

"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.