Ravichandran Ashwin has sparked debate around IPL retention with an interesting idea for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the 2025 mega auction. On his YouTube channel, Ashwin suggested that CSK should retain Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a capped player rather than an uncapped one, even though the latter would cost less.
The IPL Governing Council’s decision to reintroduce the rule allowing Indian players who haven’t played internationally for five or more years to be classified as ‘uncapped’ has opened up the option for CSK to retain their five-time IPL-winning captain, Dhoni, for just Rs 4 crore if they wish to. Since Dhoni last played an international match in 2019, he qualifies for this classification under the new rule.
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Ashwin Advocates for Dhoni’s Retention As Capped Player
Ashwin, though, suggested that Dhoni should be one of CSK’s key capped players alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube. His opinion stirred conversation, as IPL rules allow players without international matches for five or more years to be classified as uncapped, giving teams more budget flexibility.
“I will give a fresh perspective. I will retain Rutu (Gaikwad), Jaddu (Jadeja), Dube, Pathirana and Dhoni. I will retain Dhoni as a normal capped player, not as an uncapped player.”
As captain of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he has led the team to five IPL titles (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023), cementing his place as one of the most successful captains in the tournament’s history.
Despite being well past his prime years, Dhoni has been crucial to CSK’s consistent success over the years.
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Not Dhoni, Sameer Rizvi should be retained as the uncapped player : Ashwin
Aswhin also proposed that, instead of Dhoni, Sameer Rizvi should be retained as the uncapped player.
“I’ll retain these five and will get Sameer Rizvi as my sixth retention.”
Signed for Rs 8.4 crore ahead of IPL 2024, Rizvi struggled to deliver, scoring just 51 runs in eight matches with a strike rate of 118. However, Ashwin remained hopeful, praising Rizvi’s performance in the UP T20 League and noting that with many similar players available, his price likely wouldn’t increase much.
As per the rules, each franchise can retain a maximum of six players, but only five can be capped, while one must be uncapped. Teams have a total budget of 75 crores to finalize their retained players. They have the flexibility to decide how much to spend on each player within this budget. The IPL set October 31 as the deadline for retentions ahead of the mega auction.
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