CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan refutes claims of approaching BCCI for retaining MS Dhoni

The mega-auction for IPL 2025 is still months away. However, anticipation for player retention by the respective teams has already dominated headlines. The main focus of attention is the position of MS Dhoni for the upcoming season. The 43-year-old seasoned wicket-keeper batter is still considered one of the most important players in the CSK setup. Moreover, with Chennai’s beloved Thala not yet having announced his retirement from the league, it remains to be seen how CSK will integrate Dhoni into their action plan for the mega auction. Earlier, reports emerged that the franchise had approached the BCCI to reintroduce a forgotten rule to help include MS in their equation. However, the claim has now been refuted by CSK’s CEO, Kasi Viswanathan.

"I have no idea" - CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan talks about the retaining MS Dhoni

The BCCI had introduced a rule in the inaugural IPL season stating that players who retired from international cricket five years ago could be retained by IPL teams as “uncapped players.” However, the rule disappeared from the auction proceedings in 2021 after the launch of two new teams. With Dhoni having retired from international cricket in August 2020, reports suggested that CSK was looking to retain the former skipper under this criterion, if the BCCI agreed to reintroduce the rule. However, in the latest development, the CEO of the yellow franchise, Kasi Viswanathan, clarified that the franchise had not discussed any such requests with the BCCI.

“I've no idea about it. We've not requested it. They (the BCCI) have themselves told us that the 'uncapped player rule' may be kept, that's all. They (the BCCI) haven't announced anything as yet. The rules and regulations will be announced by the BCCI,” he told the Times of India.

CSK CEO said, "we've not requested the uncapped player rule. The BCCI themselves said they might bring it back, no official announcement on it". (Gaurav Gupta). pic.twitter.com/ZNVMmRVsaq

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 17, 2024

Previously, MS Dhoni spoke about the matter, stating that he would discuss the course of action for the mega auction with the franchise. The five-time IPL-winning captain, however, noted that the auction is still a long way off, and any discussion will wait until the BCCI announces the number of retentions allowed per team for the 2025 edition.

“There is a lot of time for it. We have to see what decision they take on player retention, etc. Right now, the ball is not in our court. So, once the rules and regulations get formalized, I will take a call, but it needs to be in the best interest of the team,” Dhoni was quoted as saying.

MS Dhoni stepped down as the captain of Chennai Super Kings ahead of IPL 2024, following the team’s fifth title win in 2023. The position was subsequently taken over by opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been with the franchise since 2019. IPL 2024 saw Dhoni serving as the team’s wicket-keeper while batting lower down the order. The 43-year-old, however, appeared in good form as a finisher, hitting 13 sixes during the season and maintaining an impressive strike rate of 220.54.