The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering reintroducing an old rule allowing retired international cricketers to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as uncapped players. 

If a cricketer has been retired from international cricket for five or more years, the cricketer can participate in the IPL as an uncapped player. This rule was present in the IPL until 2021. However, during the expansion of the IPL with two more teams, this rule was removed. 

According to recent media reports, the five-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) requested the BCCI reintroduce the “retired player as uncapped player” rule to retain former CSK captain MS Dhoni. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan recently clarified about this news.

We've not requested for it: CSK CEO 

Although Viswanathan has confirmed the BCCI’s reconsideration of the uncapped player rule, he also clarified that they haven’t requested to reintroduce this rule. 

The CSK CEO told the Times of India, “I've no idea about it. We've not requested for 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.”

Will MS Dhoni participate in the IPL 2025?

The latest CSK revelation casts more doubt on MS Dhoni’s presence at the IPL 2025. After CSK won their fifth IPL title in 2023 under Dhoni’s leadership, the wicketkeeper-batter underwent successful knee surgery. In the IPL 2024, Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. CSK closely missed out on the IPL 2024 playoffs as they finished in fifth place at the IPL 2024. 

During the IPL 2024, MS Dhoni scored 161 runs in 14 matches (11 innings) with an average of 53.66 and a strike rate of 220.54. The right-handed batter generally batted in the low position at the IPL 2024 and had some useful cameos for his team. 

However, since the IPL 2024 completion, there is no news on MS Dhoni’s IPL future.