In a major boost for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has accepted the franchise’s demands and is likely to bring back a scrapped rule that will help the 5-time champions retain legendary captain and wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni as a non-cap player ahead of the mega IPL 2025 auction.
CSK is one of the most successful franchises in the history of the Indian Premier League and in the recent meeting between the BCCI and IPL team owners, they floated the idea of bringing back the old retention rule that allowed franchises to retain an internationally capped player as an uncapped player if he had retired from international cricket for at least five years. This rule was in place since 2008, the inaugural season, but was scrapped in 2021 as it was never used.
This suggestion was made by the Chennai Super Kings to the BCCI as they aim to retain MS Dhoni using that rule. Notably, MS Dhoni retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020. He was also retained by the Chennai Super Kings for INR 12 crore ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction. It was the second retention by the franchise after Ravindra Jadeja.
Meanwhile, when CSK talked about bringing back the old retention rule, several franchises objected and Sunrisers Hyderabad owner Kavya Maran even said it would be disrespectful for a retired player to be retained as a non-international contract player.
However, despite not having much support from the other franchises, BCCI is likely to reinstate the rule and do Chennai Super Kings a favour, according to a report by CricketNext News18.
There is a strong possibility of the rule coming back – Source on BCCI bringing back old retention rule to help CSK retain MS Dhoni
With the Board of Control for Cricket in India seriously considering re-enforcing the rule, this would allow the Chennai Super Kings to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player and keep their core of capped players intact. During the last mega auction, the cost of retaining an uncapped player was INR 40 crore, and if it is the same for the 2025 IPL mega auction, CSK will be delighted.
“There is a strong possibility that the rule will be re-applied. It was discussed in depth during last month’s meeting and could well come back when regulations for players are announced,” an informed source said, according to News18.
MS Dhoni is already 43 years old and there is a big question mark over his availability for the IPL 2025. He is also no longer the captain of the franchise as ahead of the 2024 edition of the competition, he handed over the leadership duties to Ruturaj Gaikwad, who did a good job.
MS Dhoni also played a limited role with the bat for the team in IPL 2024 as he had to bat very late in the innings due to his knee problems. However, he proved his ability to bat on the boundaries by scoring 161 runs at a strike rate of 220.55.
Furthermore, at a recent event, MS Dhoni said that he has not yet taken any decision regarding his future in the IPL and once the retention rules are announced, he will do what is best for the franchise.
