MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, is set to be retained by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Along with Dhoni, CSK will also retain captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, batter Shivam Dube, and Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana.
The IPL has introduced a new rule that allows players who haven’t played international cricket for five years to be considered in the uncapped category. This rule change benefits Dhoni, who hasn’t played for India since the 2019 ODI World Cup. As a result, he is likely to be retained as an uncapped player, saving CSK a significant amount of money.
The amounts CSK will pay to each retained player are yet to be confirmed, but they will lose at least INR 65 crore from their overall purse of INR 120 crore. The five retentions will leave them with one right-to-match option at the auction.
The IPL has set minimum deductions from the auction purse for each player retained: INR 18 crore for the first player, INR 14 crore for the second, INR 11 crore for the third, INR 18 crore for the fourth, INR 14 crore for the fifth, and INR 4 crore for an uncapped player. However, franchises are free to pay more or less than these amounts to their retained players.
The deadline for franchises to submit their list of retained players to the IPL is October 31. Teams are allowed to retain up to six players ahead of the mega auction, with a maximum of five capped internationals and two uncapped players.
