CSK undecided on utilizing uncapped retention card for MS Dhoni: 'MSD will make the final decision'

According to the IPL advisory, an Indian player who has been capped will lose their capped status if they have not been part of the starting XI in any International Cricket match (Test match, ODI, Twenty20 International) or do not hold a Central Contract with BCCI in the five calendar years leading up to the relevant season.

Dhoni has already retired from international cricket and played his last international match in 2019, which makes him eligible to be retained as an uncapped player for INR 4 crore.

However, CSK CEO Viswanathan made a bold statement that they might not use the uncapped player retention card for the legendary wicketkeeper batter.

"We are not sure at this stage. We might not even use it for MS Dhoni. It's still too early to comment on this because we haven't had discussions with him," Kasi told Times of India.

Dhoni relinquished the captaincy last season as Chennai entered the transition phase under Ruturaj Gaikwad's captaincy, but the wicketkeeper batter remained a key figure in the side.

Viswanathan further said that Dhoni will take a call on his future and he will have a discussion with him about that in coming days.

"Dhoni was in the US and we haven't had discussions yet. Now I am travelling this week so there is a possibility of some discussions in the coming week. So there could be some clarity then. We are hopeful of him playing but it's a call Dhoni will himself take," adds Kasi.

Meanwhile, five-time champions, the Chennai Super Kings, failed to qualify for the playoffs, but Dhoni managed to entertain the crowd, which came in large numbers to support him at every venue. Coming down the order with very few balls left, Dhoni scored 161 runs in 11 innings at an average of 53.66 and a strike rate of 220.54, with best score of 37* and a total of 14 fours and 13 sixes in the season.