When MS Dhoni last played for India during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, few could have predicted that we would still be discussing his participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL) more than five years later.
Yet, here we are in 2025, with the "Captain Cool" gearing up to play another season for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and once again, the world is buzzing with excitement.
What has genuinely captured attention this time, though, isn't just Dhoni's decision to continue playing but the significant changes to the IPL auction rules that seem to have been custom-tailored to extend his already legendary career. The most controversial of these rule changes is the reintroduction of the "Uncapped Player Rule," specifically the part that allows players who haven't played international cricket in over five years to be considered "uncapped." Naturally, this rule has sparked heated debates, with many cricket fans and analysts arguing that it appearsto be a strategic move by the BCCI to allow CSK to retain Dhoni at a discounted price.
So, has the BCCI bent the rules just for MS Dhoni? Or is this a well-intentioned move to promote domestic talent and help franchises manage their squads better?
THE UNCAPPED PLAYER RULE: A CLOSER LOOK
To fully grasp the controversy, it’s important to understand the details of the reintroduced "Uncapped Player Rule." Initially introduced in 2008, during the inception of the IPL, the uncapped player regulation allowed franchises to retain domestic talent who hadn’t yet made their mark on the international stage. This was done at a reduced price compared to capped international stars, allowing franchises to build squads without overspending on marquee players. The rule was discontinued in 2021 as the league grew in stature and more international players made their way into the IPL.
Bu hikaye Cricket Today dergisinin October 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Cricket Today dergisinin October 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
FORMULA 1 IN 2025: CLOSE RACING, LEWIS HAMILTON AT FERRARI, AND PLENTY OF NEW FACES
Major rule changes in F1 tend to shake up the established order but can let one team gain a big advantage. When the same rules are in place for a while, teams tend to be more evenly matched. The season-long competition....
ARYNA SABALENKA WINS THE WTA PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Sabalenka, a 26-year-old from Belarus, won the Australian Open in January and the U.S. Open in September, along with two other titles this season, going 56-14 with nearly $10 million in prize money. She overtook Iga Swiatek for the top...
MESSI AND RONALDO MISS OUT ON MEN'S FIFPRO WORLD XI
The all-time soccer greats did not make the men's World Team of the Year organized by the global Players' Union FIFPRO. The 37-year-old Messi, who plays for MLS side Inter Miami, and the 39-year-old Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr...
IPL 2025: 3 STRENGTHS AND 3 WEAKNESSES OF PUNJAB KINGS
The major attraction during the auction for PBKS was the capture of Shreyas Iyer. Punjab went all out for the IPL title-winning captain of 2024. A sum of Rs. 26.75 crore was spent on the Indian batter, who was with Kolkata Knight Riders. IPL’s highest wicket-taker and the best T20 performer with the ball among....
IPL 2025: 3 STRENGTHS AND 2 MAJOR WEAKNESSES OF ROYAL CHALLENGERS BENGALURU
Spin is RCB’s main weakness. They are heavily reliant on bowling all-rounder Krunal Pandya. Notably, Pandya was dismal last season, averaging 42.50 and taking six wickets from 14 matches. The season before that, he picked nine scalps at 34.77...
IPL 2025: 2 STRENGTHS AND 2 WEAKNESSES OF RAJASTHAN ROYALS
Batting is RR's second major strength. In Samson and Jaiswal, RR get a strong combination to tear opposition sides apart. Samson is highly experienced, with over 7,200 runs in T20s. He has smashed six tons. Jaiswal is the present and future of both RR and Team India. Former KKR ace Nitish Rana...
IPL 2025: 2 STRENGTHS AND 2 MAJOR WEAKNESSES OF DELHI CAPITALS
The pace attack of DC is a real deal. Starc is a big-match player, and we witnessed that last season when he helped the Kolkata Knight Riders in vQualifier 1 and then the final. He picked 14 wickets last season for KKR. In Natarajan, DC get a proven customer in the IPL...
IPL 2025: 3 MAJOR STRENGTHS AND 2 WEAKNESSES OF SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
SRH won their only IPL title in 2016 and is awaiting to add to the tally. Last season, they were second best against a well-drilled KKR side both in Qualifier 1 and then in the final. Many will feel that SRH could take a step further this time, given the balance. Also, they have a skipper in Cummins who is one of the best in the business...
IPL 2025: DECODING 3 MAJOR STRENGTHS AND 1 WEAKNESS OF GUJARAT TITANS
In IPL 2025, we could see more of Washington Sundar, who perhaps didn't get the desired games in his former franchises. Sundar has a strong economy rate of 6.96 in T20s. Given his recent exploits with Team India, Sundar can be a good option in the ranks supporting Rashid. Domestic star Sai Kishore...
IPL 2025: 3 WEAKNESSES AND 2 STRENGTHS OF LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS
LSG have a solid pace attack on offer with top Indian specialists. Mayank is such a pivotal figure in this side. Currently, the fastest Indian bowler, Mayank, impressed in the 4 games he played last season, taking 7 scalps at 12.14. A lot will revolve around him. In Mohsin, LSG get another solid customer...
