The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to reinstate a rule that categorizes players who have been retired from international cricket for at least five years as “uncapped” when unveiling player regulations for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL). This move is set to redefine the player landscape as the IPL prepares for its next edition.
The BCCI is mulling over the potential revival of a rule that was a fixture since the IPL’s inception but was discarded in 2021 due to its lack of utilization. This rule, which could designate players retired from international cricket for at least five years as “uncapped,” was brought back into the spotlight during a recent meeting between IPL franchise owners and the BCCI.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) management was a vocal proponent of the rule’s reinstatement, arguing that it would allow them to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player while preserving much of their seasoned core. While the proposal didn’t garner overwhelming support from other franchises during the discussion on July 31, the Indian cricket board is seriously contemplating its reintroduction.
“There is a bright possibility of the rule making a comeback. It was discussed at length during last month’s meeting and could very well be reinstated when the player regulations are announced,” reveals a well-placed source.
If the rule is reinstated, it would enable CSK to retain Dhoni at a more economical cost compared to the previous policy, where an uncapped player was priced at Rs 4 crore. This would be a significant relief, as CSK had previously retained Dhoni for Rs 12 crore ahead of the 2022 mega auctions.
Fans of CSK and Dhoni have reason to celebrate—if the rule comes back, it could mean an extra season of Thala magic on the cricket field.
