CSK set to retain Dhoni, Raina, Jadeja

However,the Super Kings management did not commit as to whether it would pick Ravichandran Ashwin.

“We have not yet submitted our retention list but it goes without saying that Dhoni and Raina are all but retained. The third retention in all likelihood will be Ravindra Jadeja,” an IPL official, who is aware about CSK’s team strategy said.

The official informed Ravichandran Ashwin, who is no longer in the Indian team management’s radar as far as limited overs cricket is concerned, has not played a T20 for over a year now. It remains to be seen if the franchise is ready to invest in a player, who is no longer a force to reckon with in the shortest format of the game.

The only thing that might allow CSK to bid and go for the Right To Match (RTM) is his local connect being the most successful international cricketer to come out of Tamil Nadu.

The fourth edition of the Junior Super Kings Inter-School T20 Championship sponsored by The Muthoot Group and supported by TNCA, will begin from December 26 and shall witness participation from 72 schools across the state.

The first phase of the tournament will be held at Chennai and seven other districts – Coimbatore, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Cuddalore, Tirupur and Tirunelveli. The final phase for the winners of six districts (Madurai and Tirunelveli treated as one district) and the winner and runner-up of Chennai will be held at Tirunelveli from January 7 to identify the ultimate winner of the tournament. The final of the Chennai phase will be held on December 30 at Gurunanak College Ground.

Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy captain, AbhinavMukund said it’s a great platform for budding cricketers to prove their mettle. “I remember when I was a student of St. Bede’s, I played a lot of school tournaments. For any aspiring cricketer there is no better opportunity to showcase their talent,” he said.