Ravichandran Ashwin has sparked a debate on IPL retention with an interesting idea for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the mega auction in 2025. On his YouTube channel, Ashwin suggested that CSK should retain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as an international player instead of a non-international player, although the latter would cost less.

The IPL Governing Council’s decision to reintroduce the rule allowing Indian players who have not played internationally for five or more years to be classified as ‘uncapped’ has opened the option for CSK to retain their five-time captain. IPL winner Dhoni. for just 4 million rupees if they wish. Since Dhoni last played an international match in 2019, he qualifies for this classification as per the new rule.

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Ashwin advocates retaining Dhoni as an international player

Ashwin, however, suggested that Dhoni should be one of CSK’s key players along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana and Shivam Dube. His opinion sparked conversation as IPL rules allow players without caps for five or more years to be classified as uncapped, giving teams more budget flexibility.

“I will give a new perspective. I will retain Rutu (Gaikwad), Jaddu (Jadeja), Dube, Pathirana and Dhoni. “I will keep Dhoni as a normal international player, not a non-international player.”

As captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he has led the team to five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023), cementing his place as one of the most successful captains in the history of the tournament.

Despite being past his best years, Dhoni has been crucial to CSK’s consistent success over the years.

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Not Dhoni, Sameer Rizvi should remain an uncapped player: Ashwin

Aswhin also proposed that Sameer Rizvi be retained as an uncapped player instead of Dhoni.

“I will retain these five and get Sameer Rizvi as my sixth retainer.”

Signed for Rs 8.4 crore ahead of IPL 2024, Rizvi struggled to deliver, scoring just 51 runs in eight matches at a strike rate of 118. However, Ashwin remained hopeful, praising Rizvi’s performance in the UP T20 League and noted that with many similar players. available, its price probably wouldn’t increase much.

According to the rules, each franchise can retain a maximum of six players, but only five can be limited, while one must be unlimited. The teams have a total budget of Rs 75 crore to finalize their retained players. They have the flexibility to decide how much to spend on each player within this budget. The IPL has set October 31 as the deadline for withholdings ahead of the mega auction.

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