Months after the conclusion of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the future of MS Dhoni with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) remains uncertain. Dhoni stepped down as captain before the start of the season, passing the leadership to Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Despite CSK not making the playoffs, Gaikwad’s captaincy showed promise. However, Dhoni’s potential return as a player now depends on the retention policy decided by the IPL management and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). With a mega auction planned before the IPL 2025 season, clarity on player retention is crucial.
According to Cricbuzz, Dhoni’s participation hinges on the BCCI allowing franchises to retain 5 to 6 players. Currently, the likely candidates for retention by CSK include captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube, though the order of retention may vary.
A recent report indicated that IPL management had called for a meeting with franchise owners on July 31 to discuss retention policies. IPL CEO Hemang Amin reportedly invited the franchise owners via text messages, though the specifics of the timing and venue were initially unclear.
“Amin indicated the meeting would occur in the late afternoon or evening on July 31. All owners confirmed their availability,” stated the report.
“While the exact venue wasn’t confirmed, the meeting is expected at the Cricket Centre, BCCI headquarters, within the Wankhede Stadium complex in Mumbai,” it added.
The report also suggested that the BCCI might allow the retention of 5-6 players, which could influence Dhoni’s future with CSK.
