On the eve of the IPL 2024 opener, MS Dhoni stepped down as CSK captain, handing over the leadership baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad. Many experts believe that it was his last IPL season, but the 43-year-old has kept his cards close to chest.
Meanwhile, the BCCI recently unveiled retention guidelines for the IPL 2025 season, as per which, CSK will be able to retain Dhoni for INR 4 crore.
In a significant announcement, the BCCI listed that the Indian players, who hadn't played any international game for at least five calendar years would be considered an uncapped player.
Notably, Dhoni retired from all formats of international cricket in August 2020 but the wicketkeeper-batter played his last match for India in July 2019.
While the uncapped player rule has sparked debate among the fans and experts, former Sunrisers Hyderabad (RCB) head coach Tom Moody believes it’s a 'great rule'.
"I think it's a great rule. I think it allows, if you are good enough and you have got longevity, it allows a player to continue to play on the big stage and perform and have some sort of role; without them, I suppose, you are making it difficult, from a price perspective, to retain those players because they might be the identity, or in Dhoni's case, certainly he is the identity of CSK. So, I don't think that's an issue at all. I think the longer the likes of iconic players like Dhoni can play in the IPL and can physically deliver like he has been, it's good for the tournament," Moody said while speaking on ESPNCricinfo.
"I personally think five years is a long time; I would like to see it as a three-year window. Once a player has played his last international game, I think if you are out of international cricket or you haven't been considered to play for India over that three-year window, you should be given the right of passage to be able to come in at that four-crow level," he added.
MS Dhoni's participation in the upcoming season is still not final and key CSK officials will reportedly meet with the veteran campaigner before taking a call. The meeting is expected to take place in mid-October in Mumbai.
Earlier, Dhoni had said that he would take a call on his future after the retention rules are announced.
Talking about the retention rules, each of the 10 IPL teams can retain up to six cricketers, with no restriction on nationality and including one uncapped cricketer. Besides, the Right to Match (RTM) card option has been reintroduced.
The first three retentions will see the auction purse - finalised at Rs 120 crore for a team - being reduced by Rs 18 crore, Rs 14 crore and Rs 11 crore, respectively. However, the two other additional retentions will cost more than the third. The fourth and the fifth retentions will see a reduction of Rs 18 crore and Rs 14 crore, respectively.
It means a team will see its auction purse reduced by a whopping Rs 75 crore on five players, with only Rs 45 crore left in its kitty for the IPL auction.
