IPL 2025 Retentions: Not Fitness, CSK Waiting on THIS Condition to Retain MS Dhoni

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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) like many teams will need to make a lot of decision ahead of the IPL 2025 Mega Auctions, including the one concerning the future of former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

While MS Dhoni's participation in the next IPL has always been the point of discussion, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter has remained tight-lipped about his retirement plans, suggesting he will take a call on his future in the next few months.

The 43-year-old has given a trademark response, "definitely not" when anybody questions if this was his last IPL as a player. However, the IPL 2024 may actually be his last unless one condition or if not two for him to play regularly.

Dhoni has had issues with his knee, but the former Indian captain's participation in the next IPL may not totally depend on his fitness. He has already prepared the next steps for the franchise by handing over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad.

But CSK fans will be eager to see their legend feature again. Dhoni could play if the impact player rule is retained for the next season. That could see him play for another campaign. However, his retention at CSK depends on a different reason.

CSK will retain MS Dhoni if this condition is fulfilled

According to a report on Cricbuzz, Dhoni's participation in IPL 2025 does not depend on his fitness or form, but it depends on the outcome of the upcoming meeting between the BCCI and the IPL franchise owners on July 31.

The report adds that Dhoni has conveyed his intentions on his future already to the franchise owner, N Srinivasan. But CSK will only retain their veteran player only if the number of retentions is 5 or 6 rather than the 4 suggested by the BCCI.

As per earlier reports, the IPL franchises want a change in the retention policy, including expansion or total abolition of the rule with only Right To Match (RTM) for eight players at the auction. The decision will be made on the same in the next few weeks.

As for retentions, CSK will very likely retain skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube if only four players are allowed to be retained by each team before the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, which will be held later this year. So, MS Dhoni's playing future at CSK will depend on the BCCI's decision on the retention rule.