Dhoni said a decision on his playing future with CSK will depend on the BCCI's rules for the upcoming IPL 2025 auction. (CSK)MS Dhoni’s future as an IPL player will be determined by the retention rule that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will formulate ahead of the next player auctions. The Indian Express understands that Dhoni is keen on playing next season, provided Chennai Super Kings are able to retain more than four players.
During the meeting with the BCCI officials, the Chennai Super Kings management has made a strong case for a rule that existed till 2021 to be brought back. According to that rule, if a player has retired from international cricket for five years or more, he will be treated as an uncapped player. If this rule is brought back, then CSK will be able to retain Dhoni under the uncapped retainers list (other than capped players), which the BCCI is planning to introduce should there be a big player auction.
According to the last retention policy, an uncapped player who is retained by the franchise would only cost them Rs 4 crore.
“There is a lot of time for it,” Dhoni said about his future as a player at Hyderabad. “We have to see what decision they take on player retention etc. Right now, the ball is not in our court. So, once the rules and regulations get formalised, I will take a call, but needs to be in the best interest of the team.”
Dhoni, who recently turned 43, played without any fitness issues right through the last IPL after handing over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
CSK, like a majority of the franchises, are keen on having as much continuity as possible. In case of a big auction, CSK prefer having as much retention as possible. As per the discussions, franchises have been pushing for at least six retentions with at least one allotted for uncapped players. In that case, CSK would be able to retain Dhoni in that slot and also be able to keep the core of their players. If that transpires, CSK would also be able to retain Ruturaj Gaiwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Ravindra Jadeja and one of Daryl Mitchell or Rachin Ravindra.
However, CSK’s call to change the rule hasn’t found any support from others. Sunrisers Hyderabad owner Kavya Maran, was among those who opposed the move. And even other franchises are not keen on bringing back this rule which existed till 2021 and want retired players to come back to the auction pool.
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