CSK brings BCCI to its knees as MS Dhoni set to be retained as uncapped player for IPL 2025

In a major boost for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to the demands of the franchise and they are likely to bring back a scrapped rule that will help the 5-time champions to retain legendary captain and wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni as an uncapped player ahead of the IPL 2025 mega 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 suggested the idea of bringing back the old retention rule which allowed the franchises to retain a capped player as an uncapped player if he had retired from international cricket for at least five years. This rule was in place from 2008, the inaugural season, but it was scrapped in 2021 as it was never used.

This suggestion was made by the Chennai Super Kings to 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. He was the second retention of the franchise after Ravindra Jadeja.

Meanwhile, when CSK spoke about bringing back the old retention rule, multiple franchises objected with Sunrisers Hyderabad owner Kavya Maran even saying that it would be disrespectful for a retired player to be retained as an uncapped player.

However, despite not much support from the other franchises, BCCI is likely to bring back the rule and do a favor to Chennai Super Kings, as per a report in CricketNext News18.

There is a bright possibility of the rule coming back - Source on BCCI bringing back old retention rule to help CSK retain MS Dhoni

As the Board of Control for Cricket in India is strongly considering bringing the rule back, it would allow the Chennai Super Kings to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player and keep their capped core intact. During the last mega auction, the cost to retain an uncapped player was INR 4 crore, and if it is the same for the IPL 2025 mega auction, CSK will be delighted.

"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,” said a well-placed source, as per News18.

MS Dhoni is already 43 and there is a big question mark over his availability for IPL 2025. He is also no longer the captain of the franchise as ahead of the 2024 edition of the competition, he handed 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 came down to bat very late in the innings due to his knee problems. He, however, showed his boundary-hitting capabilities by scoring 161 runs at a strike rate of 220.55.

Also, at a recent event, MS Dhoni said that he is yet to make any decision on his IPL future, and once the retention rules are announced, he will do what's best for the franchise.