Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the former Indian and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, has returned to India after a vacation in the United States. His arrival at Ranchi airport has sparked speculation about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The IPL retention rules for the upcoming season are yet to be announced, leaving uncertainty over Dhoni’s status with CSK. The franchise has reportedly requested the BCCI to allow them to retain Dhoni as an uncapped player, but CEO Kasi Viswanathan has denied these claims.
If the “uncapped player rule” is reinstated, CSK could retain Dhoni as an uncapped player, allowing him to continue playing for the franchise. However, the rule was scrapped in 2021, and its reinstatement is not guaranteed.
Dhoni’s future in the IPL has been a topic of discussion for several months. The 40-year-old has not played international cricket since 2019 and has not captained CSK since 2022. However, he remains a popular figure in the IPL and is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
The IPL auction is expected to be held outside India in November. If Dhoni is not retained by CSK, he could enter the auction pool and be available for other franchises to bid on.
