CSK Hopes to Retain MS Dhoni as Uncapped Player

MS Dhoni has yet to confirm his availability for IPL 2025, according to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan, who remains hopeful that the legendary captain will continue to be part of the upcoming season. “We still don’t have any confirmation from him, though we would love for him to keep playing for us,” Viswanathan told a source. “We hope he will confirm before the October 31 deadline.”

Dhoni last played for India in the 2019 ODI World Cup before retiring in August 2020. Since then, he has solely played in the IPL. During the 2024 IPL season, he handed over the captaincy of CSK to Ruturaj Gaikwad and contributed 161 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 220 while playing as a finisher.

CSK will likely retain Dhoni. If retained as an uncapped player, CSK will only deduct INR 4 crore from their auction purse of INR 120 crore, offering them significant flexibility in building their squad.MS Dhoni has yet to confirm his availability for IPL 2025, according to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan, who remains hopeful that the legendary captain will continue to be part of the upcoming season.

October 31 is the cut-off date for the ten IPL franchises to submit their player retention lists before the mega auction. This year, Dhoni is eligible to be retained by CSK as an uncapped player due to a recently reinstated IPL rule. Under this rule, players are considered uncapped if they have been retired from international cricket for at least five years. This rule was scrapped in 2021 but is now back in effect.

CSK will likely retain Dhoni. If retained as an uncapped player, CSK will only deduct INR 4 crore from their auction purse of INR 120 crore, offering them significant flexibility in building their squad.

Image Credits: Cricket Addictor

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