IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings Boss Clears Air On MS Dhoni's IPL Retention As Uncapped Player

Chennai Super Kings (CEO) Kasi Viswanathan has denied reports claiming that the franchise requested BCCI to retain former captain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player for the next season. "I've no idea about it. We've not requested it. They (the BCCI) have themselves told us that the 'uncapped player rule' may be kept, that's all. They (the BCCI) haven't announced anything as yet. The rules and regulations will be announced by the BCCI," Viswanath told the Times of India.

There was a provision in the IPL rule books which allowed the franchises to retain the players who've retired from international cricket for five years as uncapped. It was scrapped in 2021 however, CricketNext reported last week that the BCCI is likely to bring it back.

Potential Rule Reinstatement

If reinstated, the rule would allow CSK to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player and allow them to retain most of their capped core. Ahead of the 2022 mega auctions, CSK had retained Dhoni for Rs 12 crore. As per the last retention policy, an uncapped player would cost a franchise only Rs 4 crore. This could well allow Dhoni to continue playing for CSK without burning a hole in the salary purse.

Several media reports stated that 5-time champions CSK have placed a request to BCCI in the recent meeting between the board and the franchises to treat Dhoni as an uncapped player. However, Viswanathan, in a conversation with the Times of India, denied it straight away.

Dhoni's Future Plans

At an event in Hyderabad this month, the former CSK skipper spoke on playing in the IPL and he would wait for the player regulations before taking the call. "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 formalised, I will take a call but needs to be in the best interest of the team," Dhoni had said.

Dhoni handed over CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad before the start of IPL 2024 and played the entire season where he scored 161 runs at a strike-rate of 220.55. He would generally come out to bat when not many deliveries were left but made a lot of impact in the 73 deliveries he faced.

The provision allowing franchises to retain retired international players as uncapped was removed in 2021 but might return according to CricketNext's report last week.

Ahead of any official announcement from BCCI regarding this rule change, speculation continues about its potential impact on teams like CSK and players like Dhoni.

This possible rule change could significantly benefit teams looking to manage their salary caps while retaining key players who have retired from international cricket.

The final decision on whether this rule will be reinstated lies with BCCI, and until then, both fans and franchises await further updates eagerly.