IPL 2025: BCCI to bring back old retention rule to allow CSK to retain MS Dhoni as uncapped player - Reports

MS Dhoni was retained for Rs 12 crores ahead of the IPL 2022 season.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to bring back an old rule that allows players who have not played international cricket for at least five years to be put in the uncapped category. This rule is likely to be brought back ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 edition, which would allow the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player.

Interestingly, this rule had been in place since the inaugural edition of the IPL but in the 2021 edition, the rule was scrapped by the BCCI as no one ever used it.

CSK could retain MS Dhoni as uncapped player

During the meeting between the BCCI and the franchise owners last month, CSK had put in a request with the board to bring back this old rule. If things go as per their wish, then five-time champions CSK would be able to retain wicket-keeper batter MS Dhoni for the IPL 2025 season for the salary of an uncapped player.

However, other franchise owners didn’t give CSK’s suggestion any support, but the BCCI is looking forward to bringing this rule back. If Dhoni can be retained as an uncapped player, then CSK could keep most of their capped core.

“There is a bright possibility of the rule coming back. It was discussed at length during the meeting last month and could well be brought back when the player regulations are announced,” said a source to News 18.

Under the previous retention policy ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction, an uncapped player was retained at Rs 4 crore. Dhoni was retained by the Super Kings for Rs 12 crore ahead of the 2022 mega-auction.

Ahead of the IPL 2024 edition, Dhoni passed on the captaincy role to Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, the Super Kings failed to defend their title as they finished fifth after the end of the league.

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