NEW DELHI: Ex India and Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni will meet with the team’s owners in mid-October, where he is expected to finalize his decision on whether to play in the upcoming season of Indian Premier League (IPL).
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the legendary Dhoni, who recently returned to India after a trip to the US, will sit down with CSKmanagement of in Mumbai to discuss his future role before IPL 2025 mega auction.
While Dhoni remains tight-lipped about his plans, CSK are yet to confirm their involvement for the upcoming season, keeping fans and pundits in suspense.
The final decision will be taken after this meeting, which will be key to the strategy of the team that will participate in the auction.
Dhoni’s legacy with CSK, where he led the franchise to five IPL titles, makes his decision particularly significant.
In an attempt to push Dhoni to play another IPL season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently introduced a new rule that allows players who have not represented India for more than five years to be classified as uncapped players.
This change applies to Dhoni, who last played for India in 2019. As a result, Dhoni can now be retained by CSK as an unrestricted player at a base price of Rs 4 crore.
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif publicly supported the rule change, suggesting it paves the way for Dhoni to continue playing in the IPL.
Speaking to Star Sports, Kaif highlighted Dhoni’s lasting impact on the game, saying, “If Dhoni wants to play, he will play. He is such a great match winner and leader of CSK.”
Kaif also pointed out that the financial aspect is not an issue for Dhoni.
Referring to Dhoni’s earlier comments, Kaif stressed, “Dhoni himself says that he does not need the money and even if he is held for Rs 4 crore, it will not matter to him.”
The new IPL retention rules allow teams to retain up to six players ahead of the 2025 auction, giving CSK the opportunity to secure their iconic leader.
With an increased auction portfolio of Rs 120 crore, this change gives teams like CSK more flexibility in building their squad for the next IPL cycle.
