CSK used the uncapped player rule to retain the services of Dhoni for only 4 crore.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made the most of this rule as they retained the legendary MS Dhoni for INR 4 crore ahead of the mega-auction. Having last played for India in the 2019 World Cup, the 43-year-old fulfilled this criteria.
Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, swashbuckling left-hander Shivam Dube, and Sri Lankan pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana were the other four players retained by the franchise.
By retaining the aforementioned five players, CSK subtracted a total of INR 65 crore from their overall purse of INR 120 crore. The five-time champions now have INR 55 crore left in their kitty for the next month’s mega auction, where they can use the RTM card to retain a removed player.
Speaking to Star Sports, former India batter Mohammad Kaif said CSK used the ‘uncapped player’ rule smartly, which helped them save nearly 15 crore of auction purse and they can now fit in two more big names at the auction.
“CSK have played really well. They have saved 10-15 crores. I feel that the way this rule was brought back because we were driven by emotions, and we all really wanted MS Dhoni to play another year...I feel CSK played very smartly there. Yes he is taking less money, but it would allow CSK to buy big names players at the auction,” Kaif stated.
However, Kaif opposed this rule that allowed Dhoni to continue his IPL career, explaining that the true meaning of an uncapped player is one who is yet to play international cricket.
“I feel whichever player plays for India, I was 26 when I last played an international match for India... now if I get dropped from the team, but continue to have a good IPL run, then I should not have come under the uncapped player rule. These are those players who have not played an international match yet. Yeh toh chal chal di CSK walein bariyan. And they played it so well, because we all became emotional, having git the opportunity to see Dhoni for another year in IPL. I feel CSK got the advantage of buying two extra players at the auction,” he added.
Another former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar also took a dig at this rule, saying that he and Kaif also fall in the category of uncapped players as well.
“This has been a reincarnation of Dhoni because this rule has been re-introduced only to bring him back. The positive thing is even you (Kaif) are an uncapped player now and so am I,” Manjrekar remarked.