IPL 2025: MS Dhoni to be retained in uncapped category? CSK CEO makes massive statement

Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi Viswanathan came up with a massive update about the future of MS Dhoni in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He said that they would be having a conversation with the keeper-batter on his retention under the uncapped player rule.

The retention policy for the ahead of the IPL 2025 auction was released by the BCCI just a few days ahead. Among all the rules and regulations that were released by the governing, point no.7 most likely was reintroduced so that MS Dhoni could play another edition.

As per the rule: "A capped Indian player will become uncapped if the player has in the last five calendar years preceding the year in which the relevant Season is held, not played in the starting XI in International Cricket (Test match, ODI, Twenty20 International) or does not have a Central Contract with BCCI. This will be applicable for Indian players only"

The rule was there till 2021, but after that, BCCI discontinued it. With it being reintroduced now, it means Chennai Super Kings can retain MS Dhoni in the uncapped section as his last international assignment came in 2019 and he announced his retirement in 2020.

Recently, the keeper-batter also made the statement that he will be deciding his future after the retention policy comes, and he doesn't want to make the team's future suffer because of him. This will also allow Chennai Super Kings to retain MS Dhoni for a very low price of INR 12 crores for the three seasons combined.

With the uncapped rule being there now, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan was asked if they would be using the rule for Dhoni or not. He mentioned that they are not sure about anything so far as they are yet to have discussions with the keeper-batter. Speaking to the Times of India, he said:

"We are not sure at this stage. We might not even use it for MS Dhoni. It's still too early to comment on this because we haven't had discussions with him. Dhoni was in the US and we haven't had discussions yet."

We are hopeful of him playing but it's a call MS Dhoni will himself take - CSK CEO

Chennai Super Kings CEO Kasi further added that they will be having discussions with Dhoni next week. He said that they want the keeper-batter to play in the next edition, but it will be his call. He elaborated:

"Now I am travelling this week so there is a possibility of some discussions in the coming week. So there could be some clarity then. We are hopeful of him playing but it's a call Dhoni will himself take."

Dhoni was battling a knee issue during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He couldn't bat due to the injury and hence came to bat only in the last few overs, playing blazing cameos. He aggregated 161 runs in 14 matches and scored runs at a strike rate of 220.25.