Cricket

MS Dhoni's future with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the upcoming IPL 2025 has become a topic of intense speculation. The new IPL retention rules have designated Dhoni as an 'uncapped player,' significantly increasing his chances of being retained. However, the franchise and Dhoni himself have yet to confirm his status.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan recently disclosed a message from Dhoni regarding his retention. He emphasized that CSK is eager to retain Dhoni, but the veteran cricketer has not yet confirmed his decision. Dhoni has indicated that he will inform the franchise before October 31, the deadline for IPL retentions."We also want Dhoni to play in the CSK team. But Dhoni has not confirmed it to us yet. Dhoni said, 'I will tell you before October 31.' We hope that he will play," Viswanathan stated.The IPL Governing Council's reinstatement of the old rule allowing franchises to register retired or inactive players as 'uncapped' has prompted a re-evaluation of retention strategies. Many believe that this change was specifically implemented to accommodate MS Dhoni, enabling CSK to retain him for a modest INR 4 crore.Despite CSK's claims that they have not yet discussed the matter with Dhoni, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif is convinced that the IPL rules were modified solely to ensure Dhoni's continued participation."You will get the chance to see MS Dhoni again. He is fit, batting at a strike rate of 200, keeping well, and that is why I believe the rules will keep changing till he wants to play. If he wants to play in the IPL, he will play. He is such a big player, such a big match-winner, and has been a leader for CSK," Kaif said.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction dynamics have taken a new turn, with reports suggesting that Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are set to retain South African wicket-keeper batter Heinrich Klaasen for a whopping Rs 23 crore. This move highlights a crucial aspect of the IPL retention rules: franchises have the flexibility to distribute the retention fee among players as they deem fit, as long as the total amount remains within the designated Rs 75 crore retained purse.According to ESPN Cricinfo and Cricbuzz, the IPL rules stipulate that the first retention should be Rs 18 crore, the second Rs 14 crore, the third Rs 11 crore, the fourth Rs 18 crore, the fifth Rs 14 crore, and the uncapped Rs 4 crore. However, franchises are not bound to adhere strictly to these slabs. They can allocate the money among players in any way they choose, provided the total budget does not exceed the designated amount.This flexibility gives franchises significant leverage in negotiating retention fees with players. For instance, a franchise could opt to pay more than Rs 18 crore to their first retention and less than Rs 11 crore to their third retention, as long as the total budget adds up to Rs 43 crore (18 + 14 + 11), the designated amount for three retentions.Even if a franchise retains fewer than five players for an amount less than the designated Rs 75 crore, the designated amount will still be deducted from their overall purse. As per the retention rule quoted by Cricbuzz, "Retention deduction of overall amount instead of fee per player, in this case of 75 Crs irrespective of what amount is paid to 5 players. If the total amount exceeds 75 Crs then actual amount to be deducted. In case the amount is less than 75 Crs then 75 Crs to be deducted."This flexibility in distributing the retention fee provides franchises with greater flexibility in managing their budgets and retaining the players they value most. It also allows them to negotiate higher or lower fees for players they are keen on retaining, without disrupting the overall designated amount.

SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) face a dilemma as all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy's potential international debut could impact their retention strategy for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. Reddy has been called up to India's 15-man squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh.If Reddy makes his debut, SRH will lose the option to retain him as an uncapped player, which would significantly increase his retention cost. Under IPL's latest retention rules, an uncapped player can be retained for Rs 4 crore, while a capped player would require a minimum retention fee of Rs 11 crore.Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes SRH would be hoping that Reddy does not make his debut, as it would allow them to retain him for a lower price. "They would be praying that Nitish Kumar Reddy remains uncapped. They would be saying - 'Please don't play him in the T20I series'," Chopra said.Chopra also suggested that SRH should prioritize the retentions of captain Pat Cummins and young India batter Abhishek Sharma. "They have to firstly retain the captain and Abhishek Sharma. You have to retain Heinrich Klaasen and it's great if you can get Travis Head," he added.SRH's retention strategy will be crucial in shaping their team for the upcoming IPL season. The franchise will need to balance the need to retain key players with the financial constraints imposed by the retention rules.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has outlined the retention rules for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. Franchises can retain a maximum of six players, with the Right-To-Match (RTM) option available. The retention costs are set at Rs 18 crore for the first priority, Rs 14 crore for the second, Rs 11 crore for the third, Rs 18 crore for the fourth, and Rs 14 crore for the fifth. Uncapped players can be retained for Rs 4 crore.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned whether Punjab Kings (PBKS) has any players worth retaining for Rs 18 crore. He believes that the franchise may release several English players, including Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, and Chris Woakes, due to the arrival of new coach Ricky Ponting.Chopra advises PBKS to release left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and use the RTM card to retain him at the auction. He believes that no Indian fast bowler, except for Jasprit Bumrah, is likely to fetch Rs 18 crore at the auction.

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 Indian Premier League (IPL) has announced significant changes to its retention rules, allowing franchises to retain up to six players ahead of the 2025 auction. This strategic move will enable teams to secure top international players like Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, who have proven their worth as world-class pacers.Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are expected to benefit from these rule changes. KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan has been vocal about his desire to retain eight players, while SRH co-owner Kavya Maran has advocated for removing the cap on retaining foreign players.Under the new rules, franchises can retain a maximum of five capped players and up to two uncapped players. This flexibility allows teams to tailor their retentions to their specific needs. SRH, for instance, can now retain overseas players like Cummins, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Aiden Markram. KKR, on the other hand, can focus on retaining domestic stars like Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, and Sunil Narine.Starc, who was acquired by KKR for a record-breaking Rs 24.75 crore in the 2024 auction, is a prime example of the value that top international players bring to IPL teams. Despite an inconsistent season, he delivered a standout performance in the final, earning him the Player of the Match award.The updated retention rules give franchises greater flexibility and strategic options. They can now retain a core group of players while also targeting specific players in the auction. This will likely lead to more competitive bidding and a more dynamic IPL landscape.

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.

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.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a significant increase in match fees for cricketers participating in the Indian Premier League (IPL). BCCI Secretary Jay Shah revealed that players will now earn a whopping Rs. 7.5 lakhs per game, a substantial jump from the previous match fee.This announcement comes ahead of the upcoming IPL retention rules, which are expected to be released soon. The Governing Council is scheduled to meet on Saturday evening to finalize the retention and auction plans.According to reports, the BCCI is considering allowing teams to retain five players and have one Right to Match option for the IPL 2025 auction. This move aims to provide teams with more flexibility in retaining their core players.The BCCI had previously held a meeting with all 10 IPL team owners in July to discuss retention rules and other key issues. Major franchises like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings face crucial decisions regarding high-profile players, including MS Dhoni, ahead of the auction.The date and venue for the mega auction are also expected to be announced soon, likely to be held in the second week of November. It remains unclear whether the retention and auction decisions will be made public after Saturday's meeting or tabled for further discussion at Sunday's Annual General Meeting (AGM).The BCCI's decision to increase match fees and finalize retention rules is a significant development for the IPL. It reflects the board's commitment to enhancing player compensation and providing teams with more flexibility in managing their squads.