The fans are eagerly waiting for a word from the BCCI regarding the retention policies. The apex board met the team owners in July and is expected to release the rules and regulations for the IPL 2025 auction soon. There are high chances of a mega-auction taking place in 2025. The teams will only be able to retain a certain number of players and the majority of players will be part of the auction.
Following the BCCI's meeting, there were reports that the franchises discussed bringing back the old uncapped player rule. Under this rule, a player who retired from international cricket five years ago can be retained in the uncapped players' category.
The rule will hugely benefit Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as they might be able to retain MS Dhoni in this category. Dhoni played his last game for India in July 2019. He retired in August 2020.
Dhoni has been among the highest earners in IPL's history but his salary will decrease if he is retained in the uncapped category. There is a cap on the salary for uncapped players.
Before the IPL 2022 mega-auction, the franchises were allowed to retain the uncapped players for Rs 4 crore. The BCCI could increase this amount to Rs 5 crore but the fans shouldn't expect any substantial raise for the uncapped players.
Dhoni might be able to draw a maximum salary of Rs 5 crore as the retention amount if he is in the uncapped players' category. Dhoni was CSK's second-choice retention before the IPL 2022 mega-auction and he stayed with the team for Rs 12 crore.
Dhoni joined CSK for Rs 6 crore in the IPL 2008 auction but his retention amount is likely to be less than this. Once the highest earner in IPL, Dhoni captained CSK to five title wins (in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023). He stepped down as CSK's captain before IPL 2024 and handed over the job to Ruturaj Gaikwad.