BCCI have themselves said that ‘uncapped player rule’ maybe kept, we have not requested it: CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan

Kasi Viswanathan and MS dhoni. (Photo Source: BCCI/IPL)

The potential return of the ‘uncapped player rule’ ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been a major topic of discussion among cricket enthusiasts as it may help the legendary MS Dhoni to prolong his career.

Previous reports suggested that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had requested the BCCI to bring back the rule which allows a player who has retired from international cricket for at least five years to be kept in the uncapped category. This rule was introduced in the inaugural season before being scrapped in 2021. However, if it returns, it would allow CSK to retain MS Dhoni without the wicketkeeper-batter making too big a hole in their salary cap.

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However, contrary to reports, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has asserted that they didn’t put forward the request to the BCCI to bring back the rule. He mentioned that the cricket governing body had themselves informed the Men in Yellow management about their eagerness to reintroduce the rule.

“I have no idea about it – we have not requested it – BCCI have themselves told us that the ‘uncapped player rule’ may be kept, that’s all – they haven’t announced anything yet,” Viswanathan told Gaurav Gupta from Times of India in an interview.

According to the previous retention rule, an uncapped player would cost a franchise only INR 4 crore. Ahead of the previous mega auction in 2022, CSK had retained Dhoni for INR 12 crore. Just before the commencement of IPL 2024, the Ranchi-born stepped down as the captain of the five-time IPL-winning franchise and handed it to Ruturaj Gaikwad. Under Gaikwad’s captaincy, CSK finished fifth on the points table at the end of the league stage.

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Dhoni played some exhilarating cameos down the order and finished the tournament with a strike rate of 220.55. Fans will want the 43-year-old to play for at least one more season before drawing curtains on what has been a stellar career.