IPL 2025: Rishabh Pant picked as ideal successor to MS Dhoni at CSK by Simon Doull

Former New Zealand National Cricket Team player Simon Doull came up with the massive statement related to the successor of MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He believes that Rishabh Pant should take over the baton and the franchise should go for him in the auction.

Simon Doull went on to pick the possible retentions for the Chennai Super Kings. The former New Zealand National Cricket Team cricketer went on to pick Ruturaj Gaikwad as the top retention for the team along with Ravindra Jadeja and the Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, then top of the tree Ravindra Jadeja absolutely there, Matheesha Pathirana, I think absolutely - Simon Doull on CSK's retention

While talking about MS Dhoni, Simon Doull felt that the keeper-batter would be there for another season. He said that the former captain of the team is the franchise man and the team should keep a hold of him. Speaking to Jio Cinema, he explained:

"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."

MS Dhoni has confirmed that he will be playing in the IPL 2025

Ruturaj Gaikwad was appointed as the captain of the last year after MS Dhoni gave up the leadership. He had a decent campaign as the captain but has been the team's best batter in the Indian Premier League.

On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja has been the MVP of the team for a long, and Matheesha Pathirana has been the best pacer for the team. He is the product of Chennai Super Kings and they surely wouldn't want to let him go.

There have been reports that MS Dhoni has confirmed that he will be playing the IPL 2025 and will be retained as an uncapped player. Along with him, Ravindra Jadeja is expected to be the first retention followed by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Matheesha Pathirana.

He’s their man to take them through post-MS Dhoni wherever that may - Simon Doull to Rishabh Pant

There have been reports which claimed that Rishabh Pant is likely to enter the auction. The reports claimed that Delhi Capitals want to retain Pant but they are not keen to hand him the leadership role.

Simon Doull feels that if Rishabh Pant comes in the auction, Chennai Super Kings should go for him heavily. He believes that the young player is the man to take the team forward. He added:

"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,” he concluded.