The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to undergo a potential overhaul in its retention rules ahead of the 2025 season. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to officially announce any changes, media reports suggest that franchises are still negotiating the number of retentions allowed.
Amidst the uncertainty, one thing remains clear: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) is determined to retain the services of legendary wicket-keeper batter Mahendra Singh Dhoni, regardless of the number of retentions granted. According to Cricbuzz, CSK is willing to retain Dhoni even if he is placed in the “uncapped” category, a move that would significantly reduce his salary cap hit.
Dhoni has been an integral part of CSK since the inaugural IPL season in 2008. Under his leadership, the franchise has won five IPL titles. Despite stepping down as captain in 2024, Dhoni remains a vital cog in the team’s success.
Meanwhile, Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has praised the transformative impact of former India captain Virat Kohli on Test cricket in the country. Ponting believes that Kohli’s aggressive approach and belief in his team’s ability to win overseas have inspired a new generation of Indian batters.
Ponting also lauded the contributions of former head coach Rahul Dravid, who guided India to the T20 World Cup title in 2022. Dravid’s tenure saw India continue to excel in Test cricket, with memorable victories in challenging conditions abroad.
Under Kohli’s captaincy, India became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia. His absence during the 2020-21 series due to the birth of his daughter did not deter the team, which rallied under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane to secure a historic 2-1 series victory.
