<\/p>\n
As the November 15 deadline for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026<\/strong> player retention list looms, the off-season has exploded with high-stakes drama and speculation involving some of the league\u2019s biggest names. The focus is squarely on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK)<\/strong><\/a>, who are navigating a disastrous 2025 season finish and the impending retirement of their iconic leader, MS Dhoni. This has ignited a complex web of trade rumors, most notably a blockbuster swap deal with the Rajasthan Royals. Amidst this uncertainty, franchise legend Suresh Raina<\/strong> has weighed in with a strong opinion on who must be retained. The decisions made in the next few days will define the future of the five-time champions and their rivals.<\/p>\n During a \u201cHold or Fold\u201d<\/em> segment on Star Sports, CSK legend Suresh Raina<\/strong> gave his definitive verdicts on the franchise\u2019s retention strategy ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, outlining a clear plan that involves backing the core while releasing several others. When asked about Devon Conway<\/strong>, Raina immediately said, \u201cFold,\u201d<\/em> stating the team must release him because \u201cthey have to have a local opener\u201d<\/em> and they can find a good replacement in the upcoming mini-auction. However, he was firm on retaining Noor Ahmad<\/strong>, giving him a \u201cHold\u201d<\/em> because \u201cthey have a unique player in him, who bowls Chinaman,\u201d<\/em> adding that the demand for \u201cmystery spinners\u201d is very high.<\/p>\n Raina then advocated for a clean-out of underperformers, stating Vijay Shankar<\/strong><\/a> should be released: \u201c\u0905\u0917\u0947\u0928 \u0906\u0908 \u0925\u093f\u0902\u0917 \u0935\u0947 \u0936\u0941\u091f \u0935\u0947 \u0936\u0941\u091f \u0930\u093f\u0932\u0940\u091c \u0907\u092e (Again, I think they should, they should release him),\u201d noting that he has already \u201creceived quite a lot of chances.\u201d<\/em> He shared the same sentiment for Deepak Hooda<\/strong>, stating, \u201cWe should release them.\u201d<\/em> as they are part of a \u201csame combination\u201d that isn\u2019t working.<\/p>\n When the host named Ravindra Jadeja<\/strong>, Raina first pivoted to MS Dhoni<\/strong>, saying, \u201c\u0905\u0917\u0947\u0928 call on MS,\u201d but firmly added, \u201cI think if he is playing this year \u0909\u0928\u0915\u093e \u0930\u0939\u0928\u093e \u092c\u0939\u0941\u0924 \u091c\u0930\u0942\u0930\u0940 \u0939\u0948 \u091f\u0940\u092e \u0915\u0947 \u0938\u093e\u0925 (his presence with the team is very important),\u201d<\/em> strongly implying Dhoni must be retained. He then confirmed Ruturaj Gaikwad as the future, stating, \u201c\u0930\u093f\u0924\u0941\u0930\u093e\u091c \u0915\u092a\u094d\u0924\u093e\u0928 \u0939\u094b\u0902\u0917\u0947 (Ruturaj will be the captain), they should retain him.\u201d Finally, when pressed again on Jadeja, Raina was unequivocal, putting all trade rumors to rest by declaring, \u201c\u091c\u0921\u0947\u091c\u093e\u2026 They should again retain him,\u201d calling him a \u201cgun player for CSK\u201d who \u201chas done really, really well,\u201d concluding emphatically, \u201cSir Ravindra Jadeja should be there.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Also READ: <\/strong>IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals request \u2018key\u2019 CSK player to ensure the success of Sanju Samson-Ravindra Jadeja trade deal \u2013 Reports<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The CSK\u2019s 2025 IPL campaign proved to be a catastrophic and historically disappointing season for the five-time champions, culminating in their worst-ever finish since the tournament\u2019s inception. Having begun the season with a transition in leadership, the team appointed Ruturaj Gaikwad<\/b> as captain, retaining him alongside Dhoni and Jadeja as their strategic core.<\/p>\n However, the season quickly unraveled. Midway through the tournament, Gaikwad suffered a severe setback after sustaining an elbow injury, <\/b>a hairline fracture, that ruled him out of the remainder of the IPL. This unforeseen injury forced the iconic Dhoni to once again take the reins of captaincy, a return necessitated by crisis rather than design. Unfortunately, even the tactical wizardry and experience of the Ranchi legend could not stop the unprecedented slide.<\/p>\n The team managed only four victories out of 14 matches, leading to the franchise finishing 10th, at the absolute bottom of the points table, for the first time in their storied IPL history. Adding to the ignominy, CSK also lost five matches at their fortress, the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, marking a new low for home-ground performance. This collective failure underscores the massive rebuild the team faces ahead of the 2026 auction, validating Raina\u2019s concern that the very important old guard must be retained to steady the ship.<\/p>\n Also READ: <\/strong>Chennai Super Kings: 5 Indian players CSK can retain ahead of IPL 2026 auction<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nSuresh Raina\u2019s retention blueprint for CSK for the IPL 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n
CSK\u2019s historic IPL 2025 fall under Ruturaj Gaikwad and MS Dhoni<\/h2>\n