Can MS Dhoni play as an uncapped player in IPL 2025? R Ashwin gives his take – MASHAHER

Star India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has given his take on MS Dhoni playing Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) as an uncapped player. Notably, there have been widespread speculations on Dhoni’s future in the IPL ahead of the mega auction for the next season.

There was a provision in the IPL rule books which stated that the players who’ve retired from international cricket for five years can be termed uncapped. However, the rule was abolished in 2021. Dhoni retired from international cricket on 15^th August 2020 which still doesn’t make him an uncapped player as per the rule.

However, there were reports that the ten franchises mulled over bringing the rule back. Giving his take on Dhoni playing as an uncapped player, Ashwin said that everyone will talk about it since it involves the legendary wicketkeeper.

“Will Dhoni play as an uncapped player? That’s a big question mark. The point is correct. He hasn’t played international cricket for many years. He has retired. So, he is an uncapped player. He is not a capped player,” Ashwin said on his official YouTube channel.

“Can a player like Dhoni play as an uncapped player? That is another conversation. Obviously, if someone talks about Dhoni, everyone will talk about it,” he added.

Dhoni yet to retire from IPL

Ahead of the 2022 mega auction, IPL franchises could retain two uncapped players. Hence, if Dhoni comes under the uncapped players bracket, CSK will be able to retain him while keeping the core unit of their players intact. Furthermore, if the Impact Player rule stays in place, the legendary cricketer could play as a pure batter for his team which will further take away the load off his injured knees while keeping.

However, after the run fest in the IPL 2024, the BCCI are unlikely to continue with the Impact Player rule further making it difficult for Dhoni to continue his career in the T20 extravaganza. The 43-year-old is arguably the biggest crowd-puller the tournament has ever seen and continues to bring in crowd and large viewership both for his team CSK and the tournament.

Hence, Dhoni not featuring in the upcoming season, could well impact the viewership and in-stadium attendance in the next edition which could possibly lead to potential losses for all the parties involved.