Former Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Tom Moody has also praised the BCCI’s move to bring back the uncapped player clause, under which, an Indian player who has not played an international match in the last five years can be kept as an uncapped player for four crores. Last month, after BCCI revealed the player retention rules for IPL 2025, it became evident that Chennai Super Kings will be able to retain Dhoni without much expense.
Its supporters and critics regard this as a rule that was purposely put in place to allow Dhoni to participate in the league for an extra season. Respected former cricketer Tom Moody was also present on the ESPNCricinfo show where he was asked about the new stipulation on uncapped players and he said, “I think it’s a great rule, it probably encourages you to still be involved when you are at the sunset of your career if you are good enough and have longevity, it allows a player to continue playing and performing on the big stage and having a role of some degree I guess; otherwise, it becomes very costly to keep such players around because they may be the face of the franchise or in Dhoni’s case, quite literally, the face of CSK. So, I do not think that’s concern at all. My concern lies in the fact that it is great for the tournament when an iconic player like Dhoni can play for as long as possible and still perform as well as he has in this tournament.”
The Australian cricketer turned coach, who also has a rich experience as the head coach of Sri Lanka men’s cricket team during his career, also expressed that the five-year limit can also be reduced to three years.
“In my opinion, five years is rather lengthy; three years would be more acceptable. Once a player has hung his boots and has played the last international game, I believe if you are not in the international game for quite a while – or haven’t been even thought about to play for the country of India in that specific duration of three years, then you must be allowed to take such a four-crow level of entry,” he further explained.
It is uncertain if the previous Indian captain will participate in the rich league next year even as the BCCI has made it clear that CSK can retain Dhoni at a lesser expenditure. Cricbuzz reported on Saturday that he has still not confirmed IPL 2025 and will inform CSK management of his decision towards the end of the month.
