Before the 2024 Indian Premier League, MS Dhoni announced his resignation as captain of the Chennai Super Kings, handing the reins to Ruturaj Gaikwad. CSK’s season ended tragically as the squad was unable to make it to the playoffs. However, to see their idol perform on the pitch, Dhoni fans rushed to stadiums around the nation. The veteran himself disclosed the likelihood of the desired outcome. As usual, there is much speculation regarding his availability for the upcoming season.
Although they are the only team to have kept the balance by being able to keep the star players and retrieve some through the Right to Match (RTM) option, CSK has a strong auction plan. The squad has a wealth of skill that makes it difficult to release some of them before the 2025 season due to the four player retention cap. In order to keep playing and not interfere with the team’s lineup, Dhoni is looking to change the retention regulation.
“There’s a lot of time available. We must wait and see what actions they do about player retention, etc. We don’t have the ball in our court right now. Therefore, once the guidelines are established, I’ll answer calls, but it must be in the team’s best interests, Dhoni stated at a Hyderabad event.
Here’s the video of MS Dhoni conversation around his probable comeback:
Mahi Speaks on his IPL Future ! 🎤🥹#MSDhoni #WhistlePodu #CSK #IPL2025
🎥 via @junaid_csk_7 pic.twitter.com/qNDbbkvmq6— TEAM MS DHONI #Dhoni (@imDhoni_fc) August 1, 2024
In order to discuss issues and requests pertaining to the impending Mega Auctions, BCCI and the IPL Governing Council met with the IPL team owners on July 31. It was stated that all ten franchises have at least six player retention caps in place, along with flexibility when it comes to employing RTM to preserve the value of the team combinations that have been established over the years.
Also Read: Highlights of the BCCI and IPL Franchise Owners Meeting: Retentions, RTM cards, and massive auctions
Following a significant backlash in the previous season, the decision to keep the Impact Player Rule in place was also up for debate.