Adam Gilchrist Names 4 Players CSK Should Let Go After IPL 2025

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have endured a dismal IPL 2025 campaign, emerging as the tournament’s poorest-performing side. While they are still mathematically in the race for the playoffs the reality paints a grim picture. With just 2 wins from 9 games, the five-time champions sit at the bottom of the table.

A loss against Punjab Kings would officially eliminate them from playoff contention, with 21 group-stage matches still to be played. For a franchise as consistent as CSK, it would mark a crushing and premature exit.

Focus Shifts to IPL 2026 After Disastrous 2025 Campaign

This disappointing season will undoubtedly prompt CSK to rethink their strategy ahead of IPL 2026. The quest for a sixth title must begin with tough calls on player retention and releases ahead of the mini auction. Several key players have failed to deliver, team combinations have looked off-balance and the presence of ageing stars has further complicated matters.

Taking all these factors into consideration, former Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) captain Adam Gilchrist suggested that five-time champions should part ways with MS Dhoni, Shaik Rasheed, Devon Conway and Deepak Hooda ahead of IPL 2026.

The inclusion of Dhoni on this list is bound to raise eyebrows. As the long-time face of the franchise, Dhoni’s presence has been iconic, both on and off the field. Moreover, he hasn’t been a major liability in CSK’s IPL 2025 campaign, making Gilchrist’s call all the more surprising.

Gilchrist calls For MS Dhoni’s Retirement Amid CSK’s Struggle

But the truth is that CSK can’t move on until Dhoni does. They’ll continue to build a team around him and not a title-winning one. And Gilchrist knows this. “MS, well, he’ll know what he wants to do. But I’m saying for the future — it’s going to cost me this, I know — but perhaps he doesn’t need to be there next year. I love you, MS. You are a champion, an icon,” he said.

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Gilchrist plans to retain Rahul Tripathi but release Shaik Rasheed. Tripathi, who will turn 35 by IPL 2026, has scored 55 runs in 5 matches this season. While Rasheed, just 20 and with two years at CSK hasn’t shown much improvement, he still has potential. Letting go of Devon Conway and Deepak Hooda appears a logical move due to their age and underwhelming performances.

Chennai Super Kings Squad For IPL 2025

Ruturaj Gaikwad (Injured), MS Dhoni (C & Wk), Ayush Mhatre, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad, Ravichandran Ashwin, Devon Conway, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Rachin Ravindra, Rahul Tripathi, Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran, Shaik Rashid, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Deepak Hooda, Dewald Brevis, Nathan Ellis, Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishnan Ghosh, Shreyas Gopal, Vansh Bedi, Andre Siddarth.