IPL 2025: MS Dhoni's silence over his participation leaves CSK in a state of turmoil
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Veteran cricketer MS Dhoni's IPL future is still not confirmed. According to the new IPL rules, Dhoni can play the IPL 2025 season as an uncapped player which means Chennai Super Kings can retain their talismanic cricketer for INR 4 crore.
However, Dhoni himself is yet to speak on availability for IPL 2025. The CSK management is believed to have left the decision to MS Dhoni himself, who will take a final decision based on his form and fitness.
MS Dhoni to play IPL 2025?
MS Dhoni was expected to meet the officials of Chennai Super Kings by mid-October but has not spoken about his decision yet. There are just two weeks remaining before the deadline to announce the final retention list of the players.
A source also confirmed that the management has already reached out to Dhoni but hasn't received any response from him yet. The source further added that a decision will be taken only after a chat with Dhoni.
“We have approached him but he hasn’t reverted to us. As far as the meeting and other discussions related to the next IPL season are concerned, we are yet to hear from him. Once we meet, decisions will be taken,” the source was quoted as saying by Sports Tak.
The source further mentioned that the CSK management does not take any decision about Dhoni and it's the man himself who will make such a big decision.
“It’s his call. We never take any decision about Dhoni,” the source added.
New IPL rules favorable for MS Dhoni
According to the new IPL rules, a total of six players can be retained by a franchise. One of them should be an uncapped player while the maximum uncapped players can be two. The prices for the five capped players are INR 18 crore (Player 1), INR 14 crore (Player 2), INR 11 crore (Player 3), INR 18 crore (Player 4), and IINR 14 crore (Player 5).
The price for the uncapped players is INR 4 crore, a price which Dhoni can be signed for if he agrees to play the upcoming season. According to the new IPL rules, a player would be considered an uncapped player if he has not played any international match in the last five years.
This will allow CSK to retain Dhoni as an uncapped player as he played the last international match way back in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, where India suffered a heartbreaking loss.
MS Dhoni in IPL 2024
MS Dhoni has been battling various injuries over the past few seasons but has tried to give his best for the Chennai Super Kings. In IPL 2024, he was sensational with his big-hitting despite struggling with his fitness.
After CSK won the IPL 2023, Dhoni underwent knee surgery. But he returned in IPL 2024 with an attempt to finish his IPL career on a high. However, CSK had a disappointing season filled with injuries in the squad.
The five-time IPL champions finished fifth in the points table and were unable to make it to the playoffs, which was a rare thing. But Dhoni shone with his ability to score fiery cameos down the order.
The legendary wicketkeeper-batter scored 161 runs in 14 matches at an average of 53.66 and a strike rate of 220.54. His brisk cameos entertained the crowd to the fullest but were unable to take his team to the playoffs.
