Cricket

MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ravindra Jadeja: Chennai Super Kings' No-Brainer Retentions for IPL 2025Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, former India cricketer Ajay Jadeja has identified MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ravindra Jadeja as the three indispensable players for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK)."MS Dhoni for sure. There's no doubt about that, especially because he's now an uncapped player. He's done a lot for the team and has no desire to be treated as the No. 1 player on the squad. His value is unquestioned," Jadeja stated.Ruturaj Gaikwad, the current CSK captain, has also earned Jadeja's endorsement. "He's had a good year, so you'll hope to retain him as well," he said.Ravindra Jadeja, the all-rounder, completes Jadeja's trio of must-haves. "He can't be left out either," he emphasized.Ex-India batter Aakash Chopra believes the Right to Match (RTM) card will be advantageous for CSK. "I don't think they'll retain five players. They might go for 3-4. I see two players worth 18 CR in Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja," he said.Chopra also suggested that CSK could use the RTM card for Deepak Chahar, depending on his fitness. "The price for these players is really high, so the RTM card could be useful to get players for cheaper," he explained.Regarding the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Chopra believes they may let go of their current skipper Faf du Plessis. "It's not about his ability; it's about his age. When you're talking about a mega auction, it's for the next three seasons," he said.Jadeja, on the other hand, thinks RCB will be more cautious with their retentions. "We don't even need to discuss Virat Kohli; it's the same as Dhoni. I favour Rajat Patidar, whether it's his style or his role in RCB's revival. He's the future," he said.Jadeja also highlighted the importance of wicketkeeper-batsmen and suggested that RCB could retain Mohammed Siraj and Yash Dayal.

LSG's Retention Strategy: Chopra Advocates Prioritizing Rahul, PooranFormer Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has urged Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) to prioritize retaining KL Rahul and Nicholas Pooran ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. In a detailed analysis on his YouTube channel, Chopra emphasized the crucial role these players have played for the franchise.KL Rahul: The Franchise CornerstoneChopra believes that KL Rahul should be LSG's top retention choice. As the team's captain and a prolific run-scorer, Rahul is indispensable to the franchise's success. "You want to make him the captain, and he is the face of the franchise," Chopra said. "You won't get him for 18 crores in any case. If KL Rahul goes to the auction, he will take 18 crores for sure, and you don't leave the captain in any case."Nicholas Pooran: A Consistent T20 ForceChopra also highlighted the importance of retaining Nicholas Pooran, who LSG acquired for Rs 16 crore in the previous auction. Pooran's consistent performances in T20 cricket have made him a valuable asset for the team. "The sort of performances he has given in T20 cricket—don’t even think about it, you have to retain him," Chopra added.Marcus Stoinis: The Game-ChangerFor the third retention, Chopra suggested Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. Stoinis was previously retained by LSG for 10 crores and has proven to be a game-changer with his all-around abilities. "He is that game-changer kind of a player," Chopra said.Mayank Yadav: A Potential Uncapped RetentionChopra also mentioned Mayank Yadav as a potential uncapped retention, depending on his performance in the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Yadav's impressive batting form could earn him a place in LSG's retained squad.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced new retention rules for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, which could have a significant impact on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise. According to the revised guidelines, any Indian cricketer who has not represented the national team in the past five calendar years will be classified as "uncapped." This change will substantially reduce the retention cost for franchises, potentially opening up new opportunities for CSK.One player who could benefit from this rule is former India captain MS Dhoni. Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, has not played for India since July 2019. Under the new rules, CSK could retain Dhoni's services for a mere Rs 4 crore, a significant reduction from his previous salary.However, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has indicated that the franchise is still uncertain about Dhoni's future in the IPL. "We are not sure at this stage. We might not even use it for MS Dhoni. It's still too early to comment on this because we haven't had discussions with him," Viswanathan said in an interview with Times of India.Viswanathan added that CSK is hopeful of Dhoni continuing to play, but the ultimate decision rests with the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman. "We are hopeful of him playing, but it's a call Dhoni will himself make," he said.The new retention rules have been met with mixed reactions from fans and experts. Some believe that the changes will create a more level playing field for franchises, while others argue that it could lead to a decline in the quality of the IPL.Regardless of the differing opinions, the new rules will undoubtedly have a major impact on the IPL landscape. CSK, in particular, will be closely monitoring Dhoni's decision as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reintroduced a rule for the uncapped category of Indian players ahead of IPL Auction 2025. This rule, which was previously in place but abolished after IPL 2021, has significant implications for retired Indian stars like MS Dhoni.According to the new rule, "A capped Indian player will become uncapped, if the player has in the last five calendar years preceding the year in which the relevant Season is held, not played in the starting XI in International Cricket (Test match, ODI, Twenty20 International) or does not have a Central Contract with BCCI."This means that MS Dhoni, who last played for India in 2019, becomes eligible to play IPL under the uncapped player category. This rule change has sparked speculation that the BCCI has reintroduced it solely to accommodate Dhoni in the IPL.The reintroduction of this rule gives Dhoni's franchise, Chennai Super Kings, a significant advantage. They can now retain Dhoni without using any capped player slot, providing them with more flexibility in their squad selection.Fans have expressed their excitement at the prospect of Dhoni returning to the IPL as an uncapped player. Many believe that his presence will add star power and experience to the tournament."MS Dhoni doesn't need to play one more season of IPL, but IPL needs #MSDhoni to play one more season," tweeted one fan.Another fan wrote, "DHONI needs IPL, IPL needs DHONI. The O.G is all set to return as uncapped player for some unfinished business."The BCCI has also released the IPL auction rules for 2025. Each franchise can retain up to 6 players, including the Right To Match (RTM) option. However, the total number of retentions/RTM's cannot exceed 5 capped players (Indian and overseas) and 2 uncapped players.

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.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council has unveiled the retention rules for the upcoming IPL 2025 season. Teams have until October 31, 2024, to submit their retention lists, with the mega auction expected to take place in late November.Each team can retain a maximum of six players, including one uncapped player if they utilize all their retentions. However, a crucial rule applies to uncapped cricketers."Any player who gets capped on or before October 31, 2024, will be considered a capped player for retention purposes," the BCCI stated.This means that Mayank Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Harshit Rana will no longer be eligible as uncapped players if they make their T20I debuts against Bangladesh. The trio's inclusion in the squad suggests that India may test its bench strength in the upcoming series.IPL franchises can retain up to six players from their previous squads, including the use of the Right To Match (RTM) card at the auction. The RTM card will cost Rs 75 crore from an enhanced team purse of Rs 120 crore.In a significant move, the BCCI has declared that Indian players who have not played international cricket for at least five years will be considered uncapped players. This move is seen as a way to ensure that Chennai Super Kings can retain MS Dhoni, who last played for India in the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal.The retention cost for an uncapped player is Rs 4 crore, allowing CSK to retain Dhoni while saving significant funds for the auction. In the previous mega auction in 2022, teams were allowed up to four retentions.Additionally, BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced a fixed match fee of Rs 7.50 lakh for all players selected for league games, with an additional Rs 1.05 crore income over and above their salaries. Franchises must maintain a fixed salary purse of Rs 12.60 crore in addition to the auction cum retention purse of Rs 120 crore for the upcoming 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.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has finalized significant changes to its retention rules ahead of the 2025 mega auction. Franchises will now be allowed to retain up to six players each, an increase from the previous limit of four. Additionally, the right-to-match (RTM) option has been reinstated, allowing teams to match bids for players they have released.The retention purse has also been increased to INR 120 crore (US$ 14.33 million approx.), a significant jump from last year's INR 100 crore. This provides franchises with greater flexibility in retaining their core players.Of the six players a franchise can retain, at least one must be an uncapped Indian player. The remaining five can be a mix of Indian and overseas players. Franchises have the option to retain players directly, use a combination of retention and RTM options, or solely rely on RTM.The Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match, will remain in place for IPL 2025. This rule has been met with mixed reactions, with some arguing that it disrupts the flow of the game while others believe it adds an element of strategy.The retention rules will be officially communicated to the ten franchises shortly. The mega auction is expected to take place in December 2024, with the new season of the IPL commencing in March 2025.

IPL 2025 Auction: Teams Likely to Get Five Retentions and Right-to-Match CardThe Indian Premier League (IPL) is considering allowing its ten franchises to retain up to five players each ahead of the 2025 auction, according to ESPNcricinfo. Additionally, teams will have the option to use one right-to-match card during the auction.The IPL is expected to finalize the retention rules soon, ahead of the mega auction for the 2025 season. It is still unclear how many Indian players can be retained or if there will be a limit on overseas players. The retention slabs and overall purse have also not been confirmed, but it is believed to be around INR 115-120 crore.The five-retention rule would provide teams with greater flexibility in building their squads. It would allow them to retain their core players and target specific players in the auction. The right-to-match card would give teams the opportunity to match the highest bid for a player they have released.The IPL has been experimenting with different retention rules in recent years. In the 2022 auction, teams were allowed to retain four players. This was reduced to three in the 2023 auction. The five-retention rule would be the most generous retention policy in IPL history.The IPL is one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world. It attracts top players from around the globe and generates significant revenue. The 2025 auction is expected to be one of the most competitive in IPL history, with teams looking to build strong squads for the upcoming season.