IPL 2025: BCCI to host mega auction in Saudi Arabia, MS Dhoni's CSK retention not finalized

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is all set to host the auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 in Saudi Arabia. As per the reports in Cricbuzz, it is learned that the governing body might host the event in Riyadh or Jeddah.

The IPL 2025 auction is all set to take place in the last week of November. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is also keeping an option open in Dubai, in the UAE, but the reports claimed that the venue is not the preferred choice as they are keen to stage the auction in Saudi.

The reports claimed that finding a suitable venue or a hotel has proven challenging for the BCCI so far. It is learned that identifying a venue in Saudi Arabia has been particularly difficult. They are also finding it hard with the prices as costs in Saudi Arabia are reportedly much higher than in Dubai, where the previous auction, in December 2023, was held.

BCCI also shortlisted London as the venue to host the IPL 2025 auction

Earlier, there were reports that BCCI also shortlisted London as the venue to host the IPL 2025 auction, but they pulled out of that plan. This was because they had thought that cold weather in the UK in late November would prove to be challenging, and hence the UK, as a venue, was ruled out, and Saudi became the prime venue.

The BCCI is reportedly looking for a place where they can host the IPL 2025 auction for two days but also accommodate the entire IPL entourage. This includes the 10 franchise delegations and a large entourage involving two broadcasters - Jio and Disney Star.

BCCI recently released the retention policy for the IPL 2025 mega-auction

The BCCI recently released the retention policy for the IPL 2025 mega auction. As per the rules, each franchise will be allowed to retain 6 players, which also includes the Right To Match (RTM) provision as well. This is the highest number of retentions teams will be allowed in the history of the tournament.

As per the policy, all 10 franchises will be given a purse of INR 120 crores, which is the highest in the tournament's history. There also will be no restriction on how many Indian or foreign players to be retained. Also, if a team retains just three players, they will be given RTM cards for the auction

MS Dhoni to have a talk with CSK officials on his future in the IPL 2025

One of the retention rules potentially was there so that MS Dhoni could feature in the IPL 2025. According to this, players who have not played international cricket for over five years can be classified as 'uncapped' and retained for a price of Rs 4 crore.

This makes doors open for MS Dhoni to play for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL next year without even taking risks at the future of the team. Everything will now be dependent on the keeper-batter if he wants to play one more season in the league or not, especially with his demand being huge.

The reports in Cricbuzz also stated that MS Dhoni will be having a meeting with Chennai Super Kings officials on the decision related to him playing in the league next year. The two parties reportedly will be meeting in mid-October in Mumbai. The keeper-batter recently mentioned that he will be deciding on his future once the retention policy is out.