MS Dhoni likely to suffer 66 per cent pay cut but CSK heave sigh of relief after IPL auction announcement

MS Dhoni has returned to the spotlight as the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the retention and auction rules for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The organisers brought back the 'uncapped player' rule, which had existed from 2008 to 2020. The rule enables teams to buy an Indian player, who has not played international cricket in the last five years or hasn't had a central contract, as an uncapped player.

An uncapped player can be bought for Rs 4 lakh while teams have to shell out at least Rs 11 crore to retain a capped player. The BCCI confirmed that a team can retain a total of six players through retentions and Right To Match (RTM) options. India Today has learnt that the first choice and the fourth choice will have to be paid Rs 18 crore, while the second choice and the fifth choice need to be paid Rs 18 crore and the third option Rs 11 crore. Notably, the BCCI increased the overall purse to Rs 120 crore.

MS Dhoni was expected to retire from the IPL at the end of the 2024 season after having hinted about his swansong last year. Dhoni won the IPL 2023 title, leading the Super Kings. Dhoni stepped down as captain and handed over the baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad in 2024, but he remained tight-lipped about his future after the end of the season.