Among the key announcements on Sunday`s announcement regarding retention rules ahead of the IPL 2025 auction, one significant change is the reintroduction of the uncapped player rule. Fans have swiftly speculated about this development,

Chennai Super Kings might have some headaches while deciding on their retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auctions. CSK might retain only five players of which two can be uncapped. Here is a list of players the five-time champions might retain and release ahead of the auctions.

The revised players' retention rules have allowed CSK to retain their iconic captain, MS Dhoni, as an uncapped player.

Dhoni was CSK's second pick in IPL 2022 mega auction for Rs 12 crore. Dhoni, who turned 43 in July, has only played in the IPL since his international retirement in August 2020. However, the player has been tight-lipped about his playing future.

This rule will give two benefits to CSK. They can retain Dhoni for only INR 4 crores, means more money to either retain other players or use in the auction. Also, since Dhoni would be retained as an uncapped player, CSK could retain an extra capped player which wouldn’t have been possible without the return of this rule that was scrapped in 2021.

MS Dhoni fans were overjoyed after the BCCI brought back the 'uncapped player' rule for retentions ahead of the mega auction. Former India opener Aakash Chopra highlighted that the rule will not just benefit CSK and the former India captain.

Dhoni retired in 2020, but his last appearance for India was in July 2019 during the WC semi-final loss to New Zealand

If CSK retain Dhoni as an uncapped player, his salary will be only INR 4 crores, down from INR 12 crores which was from IPL 2022 to 2024. This benefits CSK significantly as now they get more space in their purse, which they use to retain a capped player or utilise it at the mega auction.

Over the last couple of seasons though, Dhoni has been giving away responsibilities to other players as the news around his retirement makes rounds.

The new rule also states that every team will get a chance to retain a maximum of six players that can have five capped players and two uncapped players.