At the recent IIFA Awards, Bollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan made headlines when he humorously referenced cricketing legend MS Dhoni while discussing retirement. This playful exchange occurred during a conversation with filmmaker Karan Johar, where Shah Rukh used Dhoni’s longevity in cricket as an example to emphasize the essence of being a “legend.”
The Context of the Conversation
During the award show, Karan Johar teased Shah Rukh about his own retirement plans. In response, Shah Rukh remarked:
“The biggest thing about legends… unki khasiyat ye hoti hai ki legends ko maalum hota hai, when to stop, when to retire. Like the great Sachin Tendulkar, like Sunil Chhetri—the footballer, like Roger Federer—the great tennis star. They all know when to retire, and I think it’s time you did too.”
When Karan countered with a question about why Shah Rukh himself doesn’t retire, he quipped back:
“Actually main doosre kisam ka legendary hoon. Main aur Dhoni ek kisam ke legends hai. Na na kar ke bhi 10 baar IPL khel jaate hai.”
This light-hearted banter not only entertained the audience but also drew attention to the recent changes in IPL retention rules that could keep MS Dhoni in the game for another season.
Following Shah Rukh Khan’s statements and the BCCI’s announcement regarding retention rules, social media has been abuzz with memes and discussions about Dhoni’s future. Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal, who was also present at the event, added:
“Retirement is for legends. Kings are forever.”
IPL 2025 Retention Rules
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently announced new retention rules for the IPL 2025, allowing each team to retain up to six players. Notably, one of these players must be uncapped. Under the new guidelines, a capped Indian player can be considered uncapped if they have not played in the starting XI for any international matches in the last five years or do not hold a central contract with the BCCI.
This rule change means that MS Dhoni, who last played for India in July 2019 during the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, can now be retained by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as an uncapped player for ₹4 crore ahead of the mega auction. This development has sparked excitement among fans and analysts alike regarding Dhoni’s potential participation in IPL 2025.
The Implications of Dhoni’s Possible Return
Shah Rukh Khan’s comments about legends and their longevity resonate deeply with fans who have followed MS Dhoni’s illustrious career. Having led CSK to multiple IPL titles, his presence on the field is not just about performance but also about inspiring younger players.
The retention of Dhoni would allow CSK to maintain their core group while still having room in their budget for big-money acquisitions during the auction. This strategic advantage could prove crucial as teams prepare for a highly competitive season.
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