IPL 2025 Auction: Here’s how the new exclusionary rule benefits CSK in keeping MS Dhoni

In an important announcement before the next one IPL 2025 player mega auctionthe governing body of the competition has confirmed that franchises can retain up to six players. This retention can be done through direct retention or by using the Right to Match (RTM) option.

The player rules also introduce a new rule that classifies an Indian player who has played for India who has not been part of an XI playing international cricket in the last five years as a non-player. This means teams can now keep such players out, potentially saving significant amounts of money.

Maintenance of IPL and RTM rules

A club is allowed to retain six players from its current squad, including direct retention and RTM. The maximum number of capped players that can be retained is five, which may include Indian and overseas players. Additionally, teams can retain up to two uncapped players. There are no restrictions on the number of international players that can be retained.

The number of RTM cards available to a team will depend on how many players it retains before the auction.

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Possible retention of MS Dhoni

One of the most interesting aspects of the new retention rules is the possibility of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) retaining the former Indian captain. MS Dhoni as an unplayed player. Given that Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020, he meets the criteria to be considered inactive under the new rules.

If CSK decides to keep Dhoni as an uncapped player, they will have to pay him four rupees, which is much less than the Rs 12 crore they had to pay before the 2022 auctions.

Dhoni’s future in the IPL has been under speculation for the past few seasons. After knee surgery in 2023, he handed over the captaincy of CSK Ruturaj Gaikwad and played a limited role with the bat in IPL 2024. Recently, Dhoni revealed that his decision to continue playing in the IPL will depend on the finalization of player retention rules.

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