The IPL governing council has brought back a rule that started in 2008 to allow Indian players who had retired from international cricket to participate in the league as uncapped players.

"A capped Indian player will become uncapped if he has, in the five calendar years preceding the year in which the relevant season is held, not played in the starting XI in international cricket and does not have a central contract with BCCI. This will be applicable for Indian players only," read a statement released by the IPL.

Repercussions for overseas cricketers 🤯
Impact Player continues 🏏
A special regulation for MS Dhoni ❓

IPL governing council has announced a set of new player regulations for the 2025-2027 cycle.

Read here ➡️ https://t.co/bJI2XW81lD pic.twitter.com/INFBTNKHaP

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 29, 2024

New rule makes CSK's retention of Dhoni easier

The decision allows Chennai Super Kings the chance to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player. Dhoni, 43, retired from international cricket in 2020 and has only played in the IPL for CSK since then. Before the 2022 mega auction, he was retained by the franchise as the second player for INR 12 crore. If CSK decide to retain him now, they can do so by spending just INR 4 crore, which is the retention price for uncapped players.

Whether Dhoni will continue playing in the IPL has been a prominent question in the last few editions. Last season, he passed the leadership baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad after undergoing knee surgery. With Dhoni’s waning batting powers and fitness, CSK have used him to play cameos towards the back end of the innings.

Notably, the wicketkeeper-batter recently clarified that he would wait for the release of the new retention rules before being available for another season in the competition.

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