Retention rule change leaves door open for 'uncapped' MS Dhoni in IPL

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is synonymous with Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. The veteran led the team for 15 years before stepping down from the position ahead of the 2024 season. With his stepping down, the speculations around him continuing as a player in IPL 2025 were brimming. Upon that, the four-player retention rule meant that nourished youngsters had to be waived off to make Dhoni stay in the team.

There were only two outcomes that CSK required to have a win-win situation. They needed BCCI to introduce the uncapped player rule and Dhoni could fit in along with preferred players. As it stands out, BCCI rolled out the new retention policy ahead of IPL 2025 mega auctions. The board stated that a franchise can retain up to six players. It includes five capped and one uncapped player.

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It is worth noting that, the former India captain could be retained under the uncapped slot as he retired from international cricket in 2020. If CSK plan to retain Dhoni under this rule, he will be paid four crore rupees against the 12 crore he was obliged with ahead of the 2022 auctions. The uncapped player rule states;

"A capped Indian player will become uncapped if he has in the five calendar years preceding the year in which the relevant season is held, not played in the starting XI in international cricket or does not have a central contract with BCCI. This will be applicable for Indian players only."

"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 on his potential comeback.