IPL 2025 : Ravichandran Ashwin Gives IPL Retention Mantra On MS Dhoni For CSK Ahead Of Mega Auction

Spread the love

MS Dhoni in IPL 2024

MS Dhoni has been battling various injuries over the past few seasons but has tried to give his best for the Chennai Super Kings. In IPL 2024, he was sensational with his big-hitting despite struggling with his fitness.

After CSK won the IPL 2023, Dhoni underwent knee surgery. But he returned in IPL 2024 with an attempt to finish his IPL career on a high. However, CSK had a disappointing season filled with injuries in the squad.

The five-time IPL champions finished fifth in the points table and were unable to make it to the playoffs, which was a rare thing. But Dhoni shone with his ability to score fiery cameos down the order.

The legendary wicketkeeper-batter scored 161 runs in 14 matches at an average of 53.66 and a strike rate of 220.54. His brisk cameos entertained the crowd to the fullest but were unable to take his team to the playoffs.

MS Dhoni to play IPL 2025 remains a mystery

MS Dhoni was expected to meet the officials of Chennai Super Kings by mid-October but has not spoken about his decision yet. There are just two weeks remaining before the deadline to announce the final retention list of the players.

A source also confirmed that the management has already reached out to Dhoni but hasn’t received any response from him yet. The source further added that a decision will be taken only after a chat with Dhoni.

“We have approached him but he hasn’t reverted to us. As far as the meeting and other discussions related to the next IPL season are concerned, we are yet to hear from him. Once we meet, decisions will be taken,” the source was quoted as saying by Sports Tak.

The source further mentioned that the CSK management does not take any decision about Dhoni and it’s the man himself who will make such a big decision.

“It’s his call. We never take any decision about Dhoni,” the source added.

New IPL rules favorable for MS Dhoni

According to the new IPL rules, a total of six players can be retained by a franchise. One of them should be an uncapped player while the maximum uncapped players can be two. The prices for the five capped players are INR 18 crore (Player 1), INR 14 crore (Player 2), INR 11 crore (Player 3), INR 18 crore (Player 4), and IINR 14 crore (Player 5).

The price for the uncapped players is INR 4 crore, a price which Dhoni can be signed for if he agrees to play the upcoming season. According to the new IPL rules, a player would be considered an uncapped player if he has not played any international match in the last five years.

This will allow CSK to retain Dhoni as an uncapped player as he played the last international match way back in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, where India suffered a heartbreaking loss. On his YouTube channel, Ashwin suggested that CSK should retain their legendary captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, but as a capped player, rather than opting to retain him as an uncapped player for a lower price.

R Ashwin gives IPL retention mantra on MS Dhoni for CSK ahead of IPL 2025

Seasoned Team India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has said he would not retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player for IPL 2025 despite Chennai Super Kings (CSK) having the option. Ashwin explained he would instead pick the legend as a normal capped player along with Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana.

While announcing the updated IPL player regulations for 2025-2027 last month, the BCCI brought back the scrapped rule as per which an Indian player who has not played international cricket for five years (and does not have a central contract) can be considered uncapped. Dhoni last represented India in July 2019.

Several fans and critics reckon that the uncapped rule has been brought back in the IPL specifically to allow Dhoni to play another season of the T20 league. However, according to Ashwin, CSK must retain their former captain as a capped player even though they have the option of retaining him as an uncapped cricketer. The spinner said on his YouTube channel:

“I will give a fresh perspective. I will retain Rutu (Gaikwad), Jaddu (Jadeja), Dube, Pathirana and Dhoni. I will retain Dhoni as a normal capped player, not as an uncapped player.”

On who he will retain as the CSK’s uncapped player, the 38-year-old added:

“I’ll retain these five and will get Sameer Rizvi as my sixth retention.”

Rizvi (20), a big-hitting batter from Uttar Pradesh, was purchased by Chennai Super Kings for a whopping ₹8.40 at the IPL 2024 auction. He faced 43 balls during the T20 league earlier this year and scored 51 runs, with the aid of four fours and two sixes. Amazingly, he kicked off his IPL career with a first-ball six off Rashid Khan in a match against Gujarat Titans (GT).

MS Dhoni’s CSK retention for IPL 2025: Capped vs Uncapped price

Any player who falls in the uncapped category in the IPL as per the modified rules can be retained by their franchise for ₹4 crore. On the other hand, the price is much higher for a team to retain a capped cricketer.

Player 1 can be retained for ₹18 crore, Player 2 for ₹14 crore, Player 3 for ₹11 crore, Player 4 for ₹18 crore and Player 5 for ₹14 crore.

As per the rules in place for the upcoming mega auction, each franchise can retain a maximum of five capped players and a maximum of two uncapped players

While the CSK camp continues to mull over its retention strategy, Ashwin’s proposal has sparked interesting conversations on how to balance loyalty to franchise legends with the practicalities of auction dynamics. As IPL 2025 approaches, CSK will have to weigh these choices carefully to remain competitive in the league.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: “Side Arm Specialists In India Need To Work Hard To Prepare Batters For Tough Times”- Abhishek Jain Gives His Invaluable Insights


Spread the love

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *