MS Dhoni’s IPL career to depend upon retention policy

MS Dhoni. (Photo Source: Chennai IPL)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is supposed to meet the IPL team owners shortly at its headquarters in Mumbai. The high-stakes meeting will decide the number of retentions per side for the upcoming season of the league. Currently, the IPL committee has allowed only four retentions, which is likely to get changed with the talks being of up to six to eight retentions.

For the unversed, MS Dhoni has been the most important cog in the CSK line-up ever since the franchise’s inception. The most expensive player in the inaugural player draft has become the face of the Super Kings for almost eighteen years now. The fans have often resonated the franchise with the star cricketer, as the Ranchi-born has led them to five titles, and a record most play-offs’ qualification in the history of the annual tournament.

There has been air around Dhoni parting ways with CSK as a player ahead of IPL 2025. However, the decision is now heavily dependent upon the maximum retention the BCCI allows in its upcoming meet. If there are more than four retentions permitted, only then Dhoni is likely to get retained, according to Cricbuzz.

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Currently, the cricketer hasn’t confirmed about his availability for the franchise for the 2025 season, leaving speculations to spread like anything. However, everything now lies upon how the cricketer can maintain himself for yet another season, however, the Impact Player rule can come to his rescue, as Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side can utilize players like Sameer Rizvi and Shivam Dube, who often substituted others in 2024 edition.

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For the uninitiated, Gaikwad was given the captaincy mantle, and the move was confirmed as pre-planned a year before, right after CSK won the 2023 season in the finale against the then defending champions Gujarat Titans. While it remains to be seen if there’s news around Dhoni’s retention or retirement, August 15th is a few weeks away, and it can only be predicted what would happen.