Indian legendary cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s future in the Indian Premier League (IPL) remains uncertain. Over the last few years, questions over Dhoni’s future with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have frequently popped up towards the end of the season; this year, CSK began to enter a new era when Dhoni handed over the captaincy to opener Ruturaj Gaikwad.
While India’s former captain Dhoni has been tight-lipped about his future with the franchise, the Super Kings have reportedly urged the reinstatement of a regulation that allows them to keep their star former captain as an uncapped player.
According to reports, during the BCCI’s meeting with IPL franchises to plan the course for the 2025 season, CSK owners lobbied for the reinstatement of a rule that existed from the tournament’s inception in 2008 until 2021. This rule allows international cricketers who have been retired for at least five years to be recognized as uncapped players.
Before the 2022 mega auction, teams were allowed to retain a maximum of four players, with uncapped players limited to two. In the meeting with the BCCI on Wednesday, many franchises have urged for an increase in the number of players a team can retain. If Dhoni were classed as an uncapped player, CSK would receive an extra berth to keep another Indian player, potentially strengthening their roster. MS Dhoni retired from all forms of international cricket in August 2020.
However, the proposal from CSK has received strong opposition from other franchises. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) owner Kavya Maran was particularly outspoken against the notion, claiming that it would “disrespect” both the player and their market value, which may increase if they were included in the auction.
Most franchises agreed that a retired international player should never be deemed uncapped. As discussions continue, the IPL’s governing council is expected to reveal the retention rules by the end of August. A decision will also be made on whether the next season will precede a mega auction, which several franchises have rejected.
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals team owner Parth Jindal said there was “no real outcome” from the meeting as the franchises looked to stick to their opinions on all the matters discussed. No real outcome. It was just to hear all the different perspectives from all the owners and the BCCI has heard us, and now they will give us all the rules. Hopefully, by the end of August we will get to know the rules for the next cycle, Jindal told the reporters.
