MS Dhoni being retained as an uncapped player? In a massive development involving the Chennai Super Kings and their icon MS Dhoni, the franchise is likely to get their wish fulfilled of getting an old rule about retentions back that would allow them to retain the 43-year-old Dhoni as an uncapped player.
According to a report in News18, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to bring back a rule that was scrapped in 2021. Under that rule, a player who has retired from international cricket for more than five years will be put in the uncapped category.
That rule was scrapped because it was never used by any franchise. But recently, in a meeting with the BCCI officials and other IPL franchise owners, CSK suggested bringing back this rule, with which they would be able to retain Dhoni as an uncapped player at a price of around INR 4 crore only.
Former CSK and India captain MS Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, and his last game for India was in 2019.
“Bright possibility” of MS Dhoni being retained as an uncapped player for the IPL 2025 mega auction
While the other franchise owners didn’t support this rule, in particular Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Kavya Maran speaking strongly against it, the BCCI is strongly considering bringing back this rule as Dhoni would once again attract all eyeballs and both the board and the broadcasters would be pleased.
“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 source told News18.
In the 2022 mega auction, an uncapped player was retained for INR 4 crore, while Dhoni was retained for INR 12 crore. If CSK can retain Dhoni for only 4 crore, or around that figure, it would free up more space in their purse to retain another player.
Dhoni, who led CSK to their fifth IPL title last year, handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2024. But CSK failed to reach the playoffs this season, falling just short in their last game against RCB.
MS Dhoni, though, had a blast of a season with the bat as he smashed 161 runs at a strike-rate of 220.
Earlier this month, Dhoni refrained from commenting on his future but said that he would make a decision after the BCCI will announce retention rules.
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