IPL 2025 Retention: "Not Confirmed to us Yet" - CSK CEO Provides Latest Update on Retaining MS Dhoni

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan has provided the latest update on the franchise retaining Mahendra Singh Dhoni, but did not give away much on the situation, leaving the ball in the veteran wicketkeeper's court.

With just under 10 days left for the IPL 2025 retention deadline, all eyes are on who the 10 teams will retain ahead of the IPL Mega Auction, which is likely to be held in the last week of November.

The focus will be on the big teams that could opt to use all their six retention slots even if they lose Rs 75 to 79 Crore from their purse of Rs 120 Crore before heading into the big auction. CSK is one of the teams in focus when it comes to retentions.

While the retention price slabs make it hard for the franchises to make their picks, the five-time champions may have received an easier way to plan their retained players after the IPL governing council brought back the old uncapped rule.

The old uncapped rule, introduced in 2008, returns for the first time since 2021, allowing the capped Indian players to be considered uncapped if they have not played in an international match or received a BCCI central contract in the last 5 calendar years.

The rule allows CSK to retain their most successful skipper Dhoni as an uncapped player, costing the franchise just Rs 4 Crore from their purse and also allowing the team to retain their other capped Indian players.

Will Dhoni play in IPL 2025?

There has been discussions on whether CSK should take that route. But the franchise, which is desperate to keep hold of their star player, is open to retaining Dhoni at any price. However, there is still no clarity on if he will play in the next IPL.

There has been much speculation around the future of the former Indian captain MS Dhoni, who has retired from international cricket, but has kept fans in the dark about his IPL playing career.

Although he retired from the international game in 2020, Dhoni has played in every edition of the IPL since then and has also suggested in the past that he would play one more season.

In 2024, Dhoni has not given any such hints, but has also not suggested that he won't feature. The CSK CEO Viswanathan also revealed the franchise wants him, but the former skipper is yet to confirm if he will continue playing.

"We also want Dhoni to play in the CSK team. But Dhoni has not confirmed it to us yet. Dhoni said, 'I will tell you before October 31.' We hope that he will play," Kasi Viswanathan said at an event last week, as quoted by Sports Vikatan.

There has been rumours about Dhoni taking up a mentor role with the franchise after he opted to step down from captaincy in the last two seasons. However, there is a big chance that the veteran plays for another season before transitioning to a mentor or coaching role.

If Dhoni does confirm of his intention to play in IPL 2025, CSK could retain four players before the IPL retention deadline on October 31. Skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube and Matheesha Pathirana are the ones to watch.