Former Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Tom Moody has expressed his approval of the BCCI’s decision to reintroduce the uncapped player rule for the IPL 2025 season. This rule allows Indian players, who haven’t played international cricket in the last five years, to be retained as uncapped players for a base price of ₹4 crore.
The move has sparked conversations, especially surrounding Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the potential retention of their iconic captain, MS Dhoni, for another season at a lower cost. Many cricket fans and pundits believe the rule was brought back with Dhoni in mind, allowing him the opportunity to play for CSK without the franchise needing to spend a significant portion of their budget.
When asked about the new rule during an ESPNCricinfo show, Tom Moody voiced his support, saying, “I think it’s a great rule. It provides an opportunity for players who have proven themselves over time to continue playing on the big stage. Iconic players, like Dhoni, who have been integral to their teams, shouldn’t be forced out purely due to financial constraints.”
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Moody emphasized that Dhoni, being the face of CSK, playing longer in the IPL is beneficial for both the team and the league as a whole. “The longer these players can stay in the game and physically deliver like Dhoni has, it’s great for the tournament,” he said.
Tom Moody, who also served as head coach for Sri Lanka in the past, further suggested that the five-year eligibility rule could be shortened.
He added, “I personally think five years is a long time. A three-year window after a player’s last international appearance would be more reasonable. If a player hasn’t been part of the national team for three years, they should be eligible for the uncapped retention.”
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Despite this ruling opening the door for Dhoni’s potential return, it remains uncertain whether the former Indian captain will participate in IPL 2025. According to reports, Dhoni has not yet confirmed his participation and is expected to inform CSK officials of his decision later this month.
