Will MS Dhoni continue playing for CSK? IPL brings back unlimited player rule for 2025

CSK’s popular ‘Thala’ player MS Dhoni is likely to return for another season with the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council bringing back the unlimited player rule for the next season. While announcing the player regulations for the upcoming IPL 2025 on Saturday, October 28, the governing council announced that they have reintroduced the unrestricted player rule, which they abolished in 2021.

According to the rule, from the next season onwards, any capped India cricketer who has not played international cricket in the last five years will be classified as an uncapped player. Also, if a player does not have a BCCI central contract, that player will also be called an unrestricted player.

Therefore, the rule will allow CSK to retain MS Dhoni for an uncapped Player price (i.e. 4 Crore Indian rupees). According to the new player regulations, each team can retain a maximum of six players. May include five limited-overs players and two limited-overs players.

This will take a huge burden off the INR 120 Crore auction purses and the legendary player can continue to be the heartbeat of the franchise for a few more seasons. The 43-year-old has been playing for the ‘Yellow Army’ since the inception of the tournament and has led them to a record five IPL titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021 and 2023.

Will MS Dhoni’s last storm be in 2025?

Since 2023, there have been widespread discussions about Dhoni’s retirement from the T20 extravaganza. However, the legendary goaltender returned for the 2024 season to repay the love fans showed him throughout the 2023 season.

Unfortunately, Captain Cool did not finish the 2024 season on a high note; as CSK crashed out of the league stages after the defeat against RCB in their last match as Dhoni failed to get over the line. The Ranchi-born cricketer looked extremely angry as he walked off the field after his dismissal.

With the return of the unlimited player rule, fans hope that Dhoni comes back for one more season and retires on a high with another IPL trophy in his hand.