 "MS Dhoni has retired from all forms of cricket but remains a big hit in IPL. PTI")
The latest reports that BCCI could allow IPL teams to retain at least five players ahead of the 2025 mega auction would come as great news for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Such a rule will allow CSK to retain their best players alongside former captain MS Dhoni who may not have a long future left at the franchise as a player. Dhoni, who has led CSK to five IPL titles, last year gave up the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad and the 43-year-old has constantly been troubled by knee injuries.
Retention rule to benefit CSK
However, the latest reports state that BCCI’s new retention rule will have elements of the past that allowed a franchise to retain a player who retired from international cricket five years ago in the uncapped category. This will be of great help for CSK and a report in the Indian Express says that Dhoni could be retained in the lowest pay category.
Everything, however, will become clear when BCCI comes out with the retention rules. The Indian cricket board is expected to announce the rules by the end of this month.
Suspense over Dhoni’s availability
The newspaper report also added that Dhoni has not made anything clear to CSK on whether he will continue playing for them or not.
“We are yet to hear from him. Once the BCCI makes a formal decision on the number of retentions, we will have a clear picture,” a CSK source told the Indian Express.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsWith knee injuries restricting his capabilities, Dhoni batted as low as at No.8 slot in IPL 2024 and scored 161 runs in 14 matches. He, however, had a strike rate of 220.55.
If he plans to continue playing, CSK are expected to retain him along with Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, and Matheesha Pathirana.
The other payer could be one among Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, and Daryl Mitchell.