Major boost for MS Dhoni and CSK as BCCI likely to bring back old retention rule ahead of IPL 2025

In a major boost for MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the BCCI is likely to bring back the old rule that puts players who have been retired for more than five years in the uncapped category ahead of the 2025 edition of the in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The rule had been in place since the inaugural season in 2008, but was ultimately scrapped in 2021 as it was never used. During a meeting of the franchise heads at the BCCI’s Mumbai headquarters last month, there wasn’t much support for the reintroduction of the rule from other franchises, but five-time champions CSK went out of their way to try and bring it back.

“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,” a source was quoted as telling News18 Cricketnext.

According to the old retention policy, an uncapped player can be retained for Rs 4 crore, which is a throwaway price of Dhoni’s stature and would thus allow Chennai to retain him for the 18th season without burning a hole in their pocket. And by retaining Dhoni at a throwaway price, CSK can focus on retaining as many of their core players as the budget would allow.

Dhoni, the most capped player in IPL history with 264 appearances, had been retained for Rs 12 crore ahead of the 2022 mega auction.

The 43-year-old was widely believed to have made his last appearance as a player in the yellow jersey last season, with CSK failing to advance to the playoffs after losing their final league-stage match against arch-rivals Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The former India captain has already handed the leadership of the team over to fellow wicketkeeper-batter and opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, and has dropped hints at confirming his participation in next year’s IPL later this year, presumably closer to the retention deadline.