Amid growing speculation about the upcoming IPL auction and the potential player retention rules, a video of MS Dhoni returning to India from a vacation has gone viral on social media. Earlier this month, the legendary cricketer was spotted enjoying an NFL game in Michigan, USA, alongside his friends. His return has sparked renewed interest in his future with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and whether he will continue to play in the IPL.
There have been rumours that Dhoni might retire from the IPL after he handed over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad earlier this year. However, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expected to announce new retention rules soon, the debate around Dhoni’s future has intensified.
IPL Retention Rules are On The Way & Guess What?? Who is back To India? 😍
MS Dhoni is back to Home ❤️#MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/xcxwMvrgs6
— Chakri Dhoni (@ChakriDhonii) September 25, 2024
According to reports, the BCCI is considering allowing each of the ten franchises to retain up to five players, which would help teams maintain their core squads and ensure continuity. The BCCI had a meeting with the IPL franchise owners earlier this year to discuss the retention rules and other issues related to the upcoming season.
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There was a significant difference of opinion among the owners, with some wanting more retentions to avoid losing their star players. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed the meeting, stating that the franchise owners provided feedback on player regulations, commercial aspects, and more. The BCCI will now take these recommendations to the IPL Governing Council for further evaluation before finalizing the player regulations.
One major change being considered is the elimination of the Right to Match (RTM) card, which previously allowed franchises to buy back released players by matching the highest bid. This suggests that the upcoming auction could be a mega auction, potentially resulting in significantly different team line-ups for the 2025 season.
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Interestingly, the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, along with CSK, Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans, and Rajasthan Royals, were reportedly against a mega auction, preferring to retain their established squads. As anticipation builds, the BCCI’s decisions will be crucial in shaping the future dynamics of the IPL.
