The BCCI has officially announced the retention rules and player regulations for the IPL 2025, and it’s good news for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans. Under a newly reintroduced rule, CSK can retain their legendary captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, at a significantly lower price than expected.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Saturday, September 28, revealed the regulations ahead of the highly anticipated IPL 2025 mega auction, which includes a notable purse increase to ₹120 crore per franchise. Additionally, teams can retain up to six players, with a maximum of two uncapped players.

New Rule Benefits CSK's Retention of MS Dhoni

The IPL has reinstated a rule from 2008, which allows Indian players who haven’t played international cricket in the past five years to be categorized as uncapped players. This development gives CSK the golden opportunity to retain MS Dhoni under the uncapped category, meaning his salary would only be ₹4 crore, a significant reduction compared to top-tier player contracts.

"The IPL has decided to bring back a rule that it had instituted in 2008, allowing Indian players who had retired from international at least five years prior to go into the auction as an uncapped player. The rule, never used, was scrapped in 2021. However, during the broader discussion on uncapped players, the IPL informed the franchises that it was reviving the rule," a report highlighted

This new rule comes as a massive boost for CSK, who can now retain their former captain at a lower price, freeing up more funds to bolster their squad for the upcoming season