As per reliable reports, the BCCI is looking to bring back a rule in the IPL that was prevalent from 2008 to 2021. Various reports had suggested that the rule is likely to be back to make MS Dhoni be part of the IPL 2025.
The rule was, earlier, scrapped as no franchises used it. However, CSK in the latest meeting between franchises and IPL governing council, stated that they want this rule to keep MS Dhoni as uncapped player and rest of the core group of players as capped players.
The rule states that the players who have been retired for over 5 years in international cricket can feature as the uncapped player in the IPL. However, CSK’s CEO, Kasi Viswanathan have now refuted the claims that the franchise has made such a request to the IPL governing council.
“I’ve no idea about it. We’ve not requested for it. They (the BCCI) have themselves told us that the ‘uncapped player rule’ may be kept, that’s all. They (the BCCI) haven’t announced anything as yet. The rules and regulations will be announced by the BCCI,” he told the Times of India.
MS Dhoni retired from international cricket in August 2020
MS Dhoni announced his retirement from international cricket in 2020 but has kept playing for Chennai Super Kings. He led the team to their 5th IPL title in 2023 and then gave up captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the start of IPL 2024.
Dhoni rolled back the years in the last season with his brilliant cameos at the back end of the innings despite struggling with knee injury. The legendary skipper, recently, stated that he needs to look into the rules and regulations set by the IPL ahead of the upcoming mega auction in order to decide whether he will play in the upcoming season or not.
MS Dhoni has led CSK to five IPL titles (Image Credits: X)
However, CSK will definitely try to keep him as long as possible as the mere presence of him makes it a home atmosphere for the franchise all over India and also brings brand value. He has played 229 innings in the IPL, scored 5243 runs at an average of 39.1 and a strike-rate of 137.5, with 24 half-centuries.
