 "Explained: What is the 'uncapped' player retention rule in IPL and how will it benefit MS Dhoni and CSK")
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is back in the news even though it’s been more than two months since Kolkata Knight Riders outplayed Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final of the 17th edition to win their third title — their first under the leadership of an individual not named Gautam Gambhir.
The world’s biggest T20 league had grabbed headlines recently after a meeting took place at the BCCI's Mumbai headquarters in which the owners of the franchises or their representatives discussed several issues pertaining to the league including the ‘Impact Player’ rule as well as the player retention limit.
Read | BCCI suggests increasing IPL player retentions before mega auction: Report
The latter assumes extra significance given the IPL is set to undergo a second player overhaul in four seasons with a mega-auction set to take place ahead of the 2025 edition.
However, it’s not just the number of players a franchise can retain ahead of the mega auction that has the Indian cricket community abuzz. There are reports of the Indian Premier League reviving an old player retention rule that could greatly benefit MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), though not financially in the former’s case.
So what is this retention rule all about and why does it assume significance for Dhoni and CSK? More on that below:
What is the IPL’s ‘Uncapped Player’ retention rule?
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAccording to the old IPL player retention rule, a player could be retained by a franchise as an ‘uncapped’ player if he had been retired from international cricket for more than five years.
The rule had been introduced in the league right from the inaugural edition in 2008. The IPL Governing Council (GC), however, had it scrapped in 2021 as the rule had never been implemented throughout the league’s existence.
Dhoni had announced his retirement on 15 August 2020 through an Instagram post, more than a year after making his final international appearance during India’s semi-final defeat against New Zealand in the 2019 ICC World Cup.
‘Captain Cool’ therefore, has completed five years of international retirement and is eligible to be included as an ‘uncapped’ player in the next IPL season.
The primary reason why the rule hadn’t been implemented till date and was eventually scrapped was due to the fact that a player usually is well past his/her prime at that stage of their career, and thus finds it tough to find a place in top leagues such as the IPL.
Given the level of talent that the Indian league attracts from all over the world, a player in his mid-to-late thirties would find it tough to attract a bid from one of the 10 franchises. That is unless he hasn’t allowed age to affect his ability to produce match-winning contributions, whether with bat or with ball.
Why will it benefit MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings?
Dhoni, however, is an exception in that regard. Despite having bid adieu to international cricket five years ago, he remains an asset for the Chennai Super Kings, both on and off the field.
The former India skipper, who had handed over CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 17th season this year, has been able to make meaningful contributions with bat and has also preserved his sharp wicketkeeping skills. Dhoni also remains integral to on-field planning and can often be seen setting fields, even if Gaikwad is officially in charge of the side.
Retaining Dhoni thus will be top priority for CSK even if he no longer leads the side. And the reintroduction of the ‘uncapped’ player rule for retired cricketers will allow the five-time champions to free up their purse in order to retain as many players from their core group as possible.
Read | Dhoni speaks on his IPL future: 'Once auction rules are formalised, I will take a call'
Dhoni had been retained for Rs 12 crore ahead of the 2022 mega-auction. And should he qualify as an ‘uncapped’ player ahead of this year’s mega auction, his price tag will be set at Rs 4 crore, saving the ‘Yellow Army’ Rs 8 crore — which could be massive for the franchise.
The IPL, however, is yet to make an official announcement in this regard. It’s worth noting that even CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan had said he had “no idea about it” and denied the franchise making any request to the BCCI for the same.
The Governing Council is currently deliberating on a number of issues including the total number of player retentions as well as the ‘Impact Player’ rule, and will likely make an announcement covering all major topics later this year.
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