The franchises have started preparing for the Indian Premier League 2025 and are finalizing the list of the players they will retain and target in the mega auction.

The five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) want to buy two-star Indian players for their squad for the new season.

According to a report from the Indian Express, the BCCI is likely to allow the franchises to retain five players, but there will be no Right to Match Card (RTM) available. The teams wanted to keep their core group intact.

CSK will keep MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and two other cricketers.

Chennai will also target R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami, according to Revsportz Global. The two bowlers are match-winners and have done well in IPL.

Shami is still associated with Gujarat Titans, while Ashwin plays for Rajasthan Royals. Shami missed the last season of the tournament due to an ankle injury, but he would be fit for the new edition of the cash-rich league.

Ashwin was named the Player of the Match for his all-round performance in the first Test against Bangladesh. CSK are also planning to keep Shivam Dube and Matheesha Pathirana.

CSK failed to qualify for the playoffs in the 17th season despite winning the title in the previous edition.