The IPL 2025 is still over 7 months away from starting, but the talks regarding the players’ retention rules are going all over the media. Lots of speculation is going around the mega auction, allowed retentions, impact player rule, etc. The fans are waiting for the mega auction to see how the composition will be in the IPL 2025. CSK (Chennai Super Kings), one of the most successful franchises are looking for the BCCI’s announcement on players’ retention rules. They are also looking to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player as they ask for the BCCI to bring back the old rule.
Today, we will see what are the possibilities of CSK retaining MS Dhoni and why they want him as an uncapped player. So let’s dive into it quickly.
Will MS Dhoni play in the IPL 2025?
The first and foremost question emerges will MS Dhoni play in IPL 2025? As of now, it looks like he is willing to continue playing for CSK in the next IPL (Indian Premier League). But, he is waiting for the announcement on the number of players retention by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). In an event in Hyderabad, MS Dhoni said he will take a call after the rules and regulations get formalized. He also said the decision he will take is in the best interest of the team.
“There is a lot of time for it. We have to see what decision they take on player retention etc. Right now, the ball is not in our court. So, once the rules and regulations get formalized, I will take a call, but needs to be in the best interest of the team.” – MS Dhoni on his continuation in IPL.
CSK proposed the BCCI to bring back the old rule
In a meeting of the franchise and the BCCI, CSK proposed the point of bringing back the old rule on an uncapped player. The rule says if a player is retired from international cricket for more than 5 years, he can be considered as an uncapped player.
CSK wants to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player because it will help them to reduce costs. An uncapped player can be retained in INR 4 crore. If they manage to do this, it will help them to spend more on other players.
In the last auction, MS Dhoni was retained in INR 12 crore. Things have changed after that. Dhoni has given up the captaincy role and Ruturaj Gaikwad becomes the captain of the side.
Will the BCCI bring the old uncapped player rule back?
CSK has reportedly asked the BCCI to bring the old rule on uncapped players back before the IPL 2025 auction. The BCCI has considered this point and discussions are going on with the IPL governing council. They are also interested in bringing the rule which exists till 2021.
“There is a bright possibility of the rule coming back. It was discussed at length during the meeting last month and could well be brought back when the player regulations are announced,” a BCCI source quoted by News18 stated.
Let’s see how things panned out regarding the players’ retention rule. There are a few more topics to discuss like the existence of mega auction, implementing an impact player rule or not, the number of retentions allowed to the franchise, and a few more things.
MS Dhoni is at the last stage of his professional career
The former Indian and CSK captain is at the last stage of his professional cricket career. He has played a huge role for India and CSK with the bat, behind the stumps, and in the leadership role. But, the age is not his side. He played his last international game against New Zealand in the ODI WC 2019 semifinal and announced his retirement from the internationals in August 2020. Since then, every year when MS Dhoni came out to play in the IPL, the fans think it will be his last season.
Is is good that he is still playing at this age and his fans would love to see him playing more. But, we saw him struggling with a knee issue in the last two seasons. He even went for a minor knee surgery after the IPL 2023 title win.
MS Dhoni didnt bat up the order because of his knee issue and managed his workload. In that case, it is difficult to predict for how long he will continue in the IPL.
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Conclusion
So this is all about MS Dhoni and the possibility of CSK retaining him as an uncapped player in IPL 2025. If the old rule won’t come back, the franchise would still love to get him on board for the next edition. His presence is enough for the fans as well as for the franchise.
What do you think? Will CSK retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player before the IPL 2025 auction? Or will the CSK have to go for another option?
FAQs:-
(1) How many runs MS Dhoni has scored in the IPL 2024?
In 8 innings, he scored 161 runs at an average of 53.67 and an astonishing strike rate of 220.55.
(2) Has MS Dhoni played for another franchise in the IPL?
Yes. He played for a franchise called Rising Pune Super Giants (RPSG) when the BCCI banned CSK for two years in 2016-17. He captained the team in 2016 and played as a player in the captaincy of Steve Smith in 2017.
(3) Whom will CSK retain before the IPL 2025 auction?
There is no information regarding CSK’s players’ retention. But, Ruturaj Gaikwad, being the captain of the side might be the first preference. MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Shivam Dube might also be contenders.
