The Indian Premier League (IPL) could see a regulation change that would enable Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to keep their legendary player, MS Dhoni, uncapped for the 2025 campaign. Franchises are debating this plan, which has also brought up issues with player fairness and valuation in the league.
Since its launch in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a mainstay of Indian cricket, with regulations changing to preserve a level playing field. A rule that categorised players who had retired from international cricket for five years or longer as uncapped was in place until 2021. Teams apparently requested that this regulation be removed, but CSK is now requesting that it be reinstated.
CSK suggested reverting to the previous regulation during a recent meeting between the Mumbai 10 franchises and the IPL committee.
The seasoned batter-wickekeeper, who announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020, seems to be their driving force. If this adjustment is made, CSK would be able to sign Dhoni for the upcoming season for a considerably lower fee than his present INR 12 crore retention cost.
Other franchisees, however, have objected to the suggestion. Owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kavya Maran, contended that considering retiring internationals as uncapped players would belittle them and create an incorrect precedent. She proposed that it would be more suitable to let the market decide a player’s value through the auction process.
This assertion was supported by other teams as well; a number of teams were against the notion of classifying former international players in the uncapped group, irrespective of the length of their retirement.
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Another relevant topic involving retired Indian players was also discussed. A proposal to allow Indian players who haven’t played for their country in five years to reduce their basic price at auction was approved by all the franchises.