Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the retention rules for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. According to the new rules, each team will be allowed to retain a maximum of six players ahead of the auction. However, the uncapped player rule has garnered significant attention, particularly for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).The uncapped player rule states that any Indian player who has not played an international game in the last five years will be considered an "uncapped player." This includes former CSK captain MS Dhoni, who has not played for India since 2019. As a result, CSK can retain Dhoni for a mere Rs 4 crore, a significant discount from his previous salary.Amidst the ongoing speculation about Dhoni's future in the IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) owner Shah Rukh Khan's recent comments have gone viral. During an award ceremony, filmmaker Karan Johar teased Khan about retirement, prompting a humorous response from the Bollywood superstar.Khan stated that he and Dhoni are "different kind of legends" who continue to play despite announcing their retirement. He added that Dhoni had initially said he was retiring but ended up playing for another 10 years.Khan's comments have sparked a debate about the nature of retirement for legendary athletes. While some believe that legends should know when to step away, others argue that they should continue playing as long as they are able.The BCCI's retention rules and Khan's comments have ignited discussions about the future of Dhoni and other veteran players in the IPL. It remains to be seen whether Dhoni will continue to play for CSK or if he will announce his retirement before the 2025 season.

MS Dhoni to be Treated as 'Uncapped' Player in IPL 2025The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council has announced significant rule changes for the 2025-27 cycle, including a new uncapped player rule that could pave the way for legendary cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni to continue playing in the tournament.According to the new rule, an Indian player who has represented the national team but has not played in any international match for five calendar years will be reclassified as an uncapped player. Dhoni, who last played for India in the 2019 World Cup, will now be eligible to be retained by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as an uncapped player in the 2025 IPL.This rule change gives CSK a chance to keep Dhoni in their squad without having to use one of their limited retention slots. Franchises can now retain up to six players from their existing squad, with a maximum of five capped players and two uncapped players.In addition to the uncapped player rule, the IPL Governing Council also increased the auction purse for franchises to Rs 120 crore for the 2025 season. The total salary cap will now consist of the auction purse, incremental performance pay, and match fees.Other key decisions taken by the Governing Council include:* A match fee of Rs 7.5 lakhs per match will be introduced for all playing members, including the Impact Player.* Overseas players must register for the Big Auction and will be ineligible to participate in the following year's auction if they do not register.* Players who make themselves unavailable after being picked in the auction will be banned from participating in the tournament and player auction for two seasons.These rule changes are expected to have a significant impact on the IPL, giving franchises more flexibility in retaining players and potentially allowing Dhoni to continue his illustrious career in the tournament.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former Indian cricket captain, has sparked a frenzy on social media with a viral video showcasing his laid-back style. The video captures Dhoni riding a bike in slippers, executing a stylish U-turn with effortless flair.Dhoni's return to Ranchi after a rejuvenating vacation in the United States has been met with much fanfare. The video of his bike ride, shared widely on social media, has become a testament to his humble and approachable nature.As excitement builds around Dhoni's return, speculation intensifies regarding his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL). With the mega auction approaching, questions linger about whether Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will retain their legendary captain or if he will enter the auction pool.Rumors have circulated about Dhoni's status, particularly after images of him enjoying an American football game in the US emerged online. Earlier, there were suggestions that CSK management had requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow Dhoni to be retained as an uncapped player. However, CSK's CEO, Kasi Viswanathan, has denied these claims.Should the "uncapped player rule" be reinstated, which permits franchises to retain retired international players as uncapped, fans may witness Dhoni donning the iconic yellow jersey once more in the upcoming IPL season.Dhoni's return to Ranchi has not only sparked excitement among fans but also raised questions about his future in the IPL. As the mega auction looms, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the decision of CSK and Dhoni regarding his participation in the upcoming season.

Dwayne Bravo, the legendary West Indies all-rounder, has bid farewell to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after a remarkable journey that spanned four IPL titles. He will now embark on a new chapter as a mentor for defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) from the 2025 season onwards.Bravo, who turns 41 in October, will replace Gautam Gambhir, who recently took over as India's head coach until 2027. The move comes a day after Bravo announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.According to ESPNcricinfo, Bravo recently met with KKR CEO Venky Mysore during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) before agreeing to the contract. In addition to KKR, he will also oversee all franchises under the Knight Riders umbrella in various T20 leagues, including Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL), Los Angeles Knight Riders (MLC), and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ILT20)."DJ Bravo joining us is an exciting development," Mysore said in a statement. "His relentless drive to win, along with his vast experience and deep knowledge, will greatly benefit our franchise and players."Bravo expressed his excitement about the new role, saying, "I've been part of the Trinbago Knight Riders for the last 10 years in the CPL. Having played for and against the Knight Riders in various leagues, I have a lot of respect for how they operate. The owners' passion, the professionalism of the management, and the family-like environment make it a special place."This will be Bravo's second coaching stint in the IPL. After retiring from the IPL as a player in 2022, he joined CSK as their bowling coach for the 2023 season. Having won the IPL three times as a player, Bravo continued his success in his first coaching assignment, guiding CSK to victory over defending champions Gujarat Titans in 2023.Widely regarded as one of the best death bowlers in T20 cricket, Bravo is the third-highest wicket-taker in IPL history and the first player to win two purple caps in the tournament. With over 500 T20 appearances to his name, he is known for his tactical acumen and motivational skills, qualities that earned him the West Indies captaincy.Bravo retired from international cricket after the 2021 T20 World Cup but continued to play in T20 leagues. He also played a key role as a consultant coach for Afghanistan during the 2024 T20 World Cup, helping the team reach the semi-finals for the first time.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former Indian and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, has returned to India after a vacation in the United States. His arrival at Ranchi airport has sparked speculation about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL).The IPL retention rules for the upcoming season are yet to be announced, leaving uncertainty over Dhoni's status with CSK. The franchise has reportedly requested the BCCI to allow them to retain Dhoni as an uncapped player, but CEO Kasi Viswanathan has denied these claims.If the "uncapped player rule" is reinstated, CSK could retain Dhoni as an uncapped player, allowing him to continue playing for the franchise. However, the rule was scrapped in 2021, and its reinstatement is not guaranteed.Dhoni's future in the IPL has been a topic of discussion for several months. The 40-year-old has not played international cricket since 2019 and has not captained CSK since 2022. However, he remains a popular figure in the IPL and is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.The IPL auction is expected to be held outside India in November. If Dhoni is not retained by CSK, he could enter the auction pool and be available for other franchises to bid on.

MS Dhoni's leadership style, characterized by a blend of humor and strategic acumen, was evident throughout the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Mohit Sharma shared an anecdote on the "2 Sloggers" podcast that highlights Dhoni's ability to guide his players with a touch of lightheartedness.During an IPL match in Chennai, Deepak Chahar, another CSK bowler, bowled a knuckle ball that was dispatched for a boundary. Dhoni, observing Chahar's struggles, advised him to refrain from using the knuckle ball. Chahar acknowledged the advice, but a few deliveries later, he bowled the same knuckle ball again, which sailed over the batter's head."Deepak Chahar has also received a lot of sticks (from Dhoni). In 2019, Deepak was playing, and I was not. The game was in Chennai, and everyone was sweating profusely. He bowled a knuckle ball that I think was a full toss or something, which was hit for either a four or a six. Dhoni bhai told him not to bowl it again. He said, 'ok Mahi bhai'. After bowling the next 2-3 ball, he bowled the knuckle ball again which this time went over the head of the batter," Mohit recounted on the podcast.Dhoni, with his trademark wit, responded to the delivery by telling Chahar, "Bewakoof tu nahi, mai hu" (You're not the fool, I am). This outburst was a mix of lightheartedness and mild frustration from the five-time IPL-winning skipper.Despite the occasional teasing, Dhoni's trust in Chahar was evident in the 22 wickets he took that season. Dhoni often entrusted Chahar with bowling all four of his overs upfront, a testament to his belief in the young bowler's abilities.With Dhoni's potential retirement from the IPL looming, there have been calls from his former teammates, including Suresh Raina, for him to play one more season and mentor Ruturaj Gaikwad in captaincy. Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2024.Although troubled by a knee injury, Dhoni's impressive cameos in IPL 2024, where he scored 161 runs at a staggering strike rate of 220.55, hinted that he may have more cricket left in him.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is gearing up for its mega auction, and franchises are eagerly awaiting the BCCI's announcement on retention guidelines. Chennai Super Kings (CSK), in particular, is keen to know the rules as they could determine the future of legendary captain MS Dhoni.According to reports, CSK has shortlisted five players for retention: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Matheesha Pathirana, and MS Dhoni. Notably absent from the list are Deepak Chahar, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Maheesh Theekshana.CSK's decision to let go of some of its top players is a bold move, especially considering Dhoni's potential retirement after the 2025 season. The franchise is reportedly hoping that the BCCI will reinstate the old rule that allowed teams to retain a retired player in the uncapped category.This rule, which was in place from 2008 to 2021, would allow Dhoni to be retained in the lowest-paying category. CSK has previously requested the BCCI to bring back this rule, but a decision is yet to be made.Dhoni's future in the IPL hinges on the BCCI's retention policy. If the old rule is reinstated, he could continue playing for CSK beyond the 2025 season. However, if the rule is not brought back, Dhoni's retirement could be imminent.The BCCI is expected to announce the retention guidelines soon, and CSK will be closely monitoring the decision. The franchise's future and Dhoni's legacy in the IPL could depend on the outcome.

Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is currently enjoying a vacation in the United States with close friends. Dhoni's presence at an American football game was captured in a video shared by his friend Hitesh Sanghvi on Instagram. The video features a collage of photographs from the trip, showcasing Dhoni and his companions traveling in a private jet and having a memorable time at the game."Fun trip to Michigan for American football and back...with these amazing people," Sanghvi wrote in his Instagram post.Dhoni's last appearance on the cricket field was during the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year. While the 43-year-old legend hinted at retiring from the game in Chennai, there is speculation that he may return for one final IPL season.The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are eagerly awaiting guidelines from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding player retention for the upcoming IPL season. The team has expressed a strong desire to retain the services of their most successful captain, who has led them to five IPL championships.However, there is uncertainty surrounding the potential classification of players who retired over four years ago as uncapped. The BCCI has not yet provided any official confirmation or made any formal statements regarding the retention regulations.Despite the speculation, Dhoni's presence at an American football game suggests that he is still enjoying his time away from cricket. The video shared by Sanghvi has garnered significant attention on social media, with fans expressing their admiration for Dhoni's adventurous spirit and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

MS Dhoni's Rare Outburst: A Moment of Frustration in CSK's Early IPL DaysFormer Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Subramaniam Badrinath has shed light on a rare instance where Mahendra Singh Dhoni lost his composure during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the early years of the Indian Premier League (IPL).In an interview with InsideSport, Badrinath recalled a low-scoring game at Chepauk where CSK, chasing a modest target of 110 runs, suffered a shocking defeat. Captain Dhoni, renowned for his calm and collected demeanor, displayed visible frustration after this unexpected loss."In this match against RCB in Chennai, we were chasing 110 odd runs. We lost wickets in a hurry and we ended up losing the match. It was one of those matches where we couldn't get 110 against RCB in Chepauk," Badrinath recounted.Badrinath further described an incident in the dressing room after he was dismissed by RCB spinner Anil Kumble. "I got out to a lap shot against Anil Kumble. I got myself LBW. He (MS Dhoni) was coming inside the dressing room and I was standing right there. And there was a small water bottle in front of me and MS just kicked it out of the park and I was oh my god! We were all trying to avoid eye contact with him in that dressing room," Badrinath added.Despite this rare outburst, Dhoni's leadership is widely credited for guiding CSK to five IPL titles, establishing him as one of the most celebrated captains in cricket. Badrinath, who played for CSK from 2008 to 2013, scored 1441 runs in 95 matches, including 11 half-centuries.