Cricket

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has retained five key players ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 auction, including captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, and the legendary MS Dhoni. Dhoni's retention at a modest price of INR 4 crore has sparked discussions among fans and experts.The new IPL rule classifies players who have not represented India in the past five years as "uncapped." This rule has drawn criticism from former India cricketers Mohammad Kaif and Sanjay Manjrekar.Kaif believes that CSK has cleverly exploited the rule to save money and acquire big-name players at the auction. He argues that Dhoni, despite his age and lack of recent international appearances, should not be considered uncapped due to his exceptional IPL performances.Manjrekar echoed Kaif's sentiments, stating that the rule has been reintroduced solely to accommodate Dhoni's return. He humorously pointed out that even Kaif and himself would now be considered uncapped players under this rule.The retention of Dhoni has been a major talking point, with fans and experts debating the value of his experience and leadership. Some argue that his presence is invaluable to CSK, while others question whether he can still perform at the highest level.Despite the controversy surrounding the uncapped rule, CSK's retention strategy has been praised by many. The team has managed to retain its core players while also freeing up funds to acquire new talent at the auction.The IPL 2025 auction is expected to be highly competitive, with several teams looking to strengthen their squads. CSK's shrewd retention strategy has positioned them well to compete for the title once again.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanath has dismissed rumors that the franchise requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reinstate a scrapped rule to acquire MS Dhoni at a reduced price. Previously, international players who had retired for five years were classified as "uncapped" in the IPL, allowing them to be acquired at a lower cost. However, this rule was abolished after the 2021 IPL season.Reports emerged that CSK sought the reintroduction of this rule to retain Dhoni as an "uncapped" player, potentially reducing his salary to as low as Rs 4 crore. The franchise had previously retained Dhoni for Rs 12 crore in 2022.However, Viswanath has denied these claims, stating, "We've not requested for it. They (the BCCI) have themselves told us that the 'uncapped player rule' may be kept, that's all. They (the BCCI) haven't announced anything as yet. The rules and regulations will be announced by the BCCI."The uncertainty surrounding Dhoni's future in the IPL persists ahead of the upcoming mega auction. The 43-year-old has remained silent on his participation in IPL 2025, fueling speculation about his retirement.If Dhoni decides to retire, CSK will face a dilemma. Retaining him as a player would consume one of the limited slots available before the auction. However, the franchise is reluctant to part ways with the legendary cricketer, who has led them to five IPL titles.CSK's decision will be influenced by Dhoni's performance in the upcoming season. If he continues to perform at a high level, the franchise may consider retaining him. However, if his form declines, they may opt to release him to free up a slot for a younger player.