The question of whether MS Dhoni can play as an uncapped player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has been a topic of speculation. Dhoni, the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman, announced his international retirement four years ago. However, he is yet to retire from the IPL, leaving fans curious about his future in the league.
Previously, there was a provision in the IPL rule books that allowed players who had retired from international cricket for five years to be considered uncapped. However, this rule was abolished in 2021.
Dhoni retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020, which means he doesn’t qualify as an uncapped player under the current rule. Despite this, there have been discussions about bringing back the rule.
Ashwin on MS Dhoni’s chances in IPL 2025
R Ashwin acknowledges that Dhoni is technically an uncapped player due to his international retirement. However, the bigger question is whether a player of Dhoni’s stature can play as an uncapped player. Ashwin emphasizes that Dhoni’s case sparks widespread interest and debate.
“Will Dhoni play as an uncapped player? That’s a big question mark. The point is correct. He hasn’t played international cricket for many years. He has retired. So, he is an uncapped player. He is not a capped player,” Ashwin said on his official YouTube channel.
“Can a player like Dhoni play as an uncapped player? That is another conversation. Obviously, if someone talks about Dhoni, everyone will talk about it,” he added.
Before the 2025 mega auction, IPL franchises could retain two uncapped players. If Dhoni falls into this category, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) could retain him while maintaining their core unit.
The Impact Player rule, which allowed a designated player to bat without affecting the team’s batting order, may not continue after the high-scoring IPL 2024.
Dhoni’s role as a crowd-puller remains significant for CSK and the tournament. The uncertainty around Dhoni’s IPL status continues, and fans eagerly await any official announcements regarding his participation in IPL 2025.
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