MS Dhoni is among five players confirmed to be retained by the Chennai Super Kings ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. The other players include current captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana.
The specific salaries for the retained players have not yet been disclosed, but CSK will face a reduction of at least INR 65 crore from their total auction purse of INR 120 crore due to these retentions. As a result, they will be left with one right-to-match option for the auction.
At 43 years old, Dhoni is expected to be retained as an uncapped player following IPL’s revised rule permitting individuals who haven’t played international cricket in the past five years to be classified as uncapped. Since his last appearance for India was during the 2019 ODI World Cup, he meets this criterion.
The deadline for the ten franchises to submit their lists of retained players for the IPL mega auction is October 31. Teams are permitted to retain up to six players, with a maximum of five being capped internationals and two uncapped players. The IPL has set minimum deductions from the auction purse for retained players: INR 18 crore for the first player, INR 14 crore for the second, INR 11 crore for the third, INR 18 crore for the fourth, INR 14 crore for the fifth, and INR 4 crore for an uncapped player. However, franchises have the flexibility to negotiate amounts that differ from these minimums.
Dhoni transitioned the captaincy of CSK to Gaikwad prior to the IPL 2024 season and took on a limited batting role, although he continued as the team’s primary wicketkeeper. He refrained from batting in the first two matches of the 2024 season and only faced 73 deliveries across 11 innings, with four of those coming in the No. 8 spot and one in No. 9. His reduced involvement at the crease was attributed to managing his workload after undergoing knee surgery in 2023.
In a statement earlier this week, Dhoni expressed his desire to “enjoy whatever last few years of cricket I’m able to play.” He also mentioned that one reason for his limited batting opportunities during the last IPL was to allow players like Dube and Jadeja a chance to showcase their skills ahead of the T20 World Cup and potentially secure spots in the Indian national team.