A pertinent question arose during a recent meeting between the IPL and the owners of the ten franchises: should a cricketer retired for five years be treated on par with an uncapped player at IPL auctions? This debate, which delves into the intricacies of player retention rules, comes ahead of the 2025 auction and touches upon broader points regarding the status of uncapped players.

Historical Context and Current Concerns

Historically, a rule existed from the inception of the IPL in 2008 that allowed players retired from international cricket for at least five years to be considered uncapped. However, this rule was never utilised and was scrapped in 2021. During the recent discussion, it was revived but met with resistance from several franchises.

Kavya Maran, the owner of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), expressed strong reservations. She argued that allowing a retired player to be retained as an uncapped player would be “disrespecting” the individual’s value. According to her, the market should determine the price of such players through the auction process, ensuring fairness and respect for their careers. This sentiment was echoed by at least one other franchise representative, regardless of how long the player had been retired.

The MS Dhoni Conundrum

A notable aspect of this discussion was the erroneous report suggesting the rule’s revival was proposed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to retain MS Dhoni, who retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020. Dhoni, a cricketing icon, has continued to captivate audiences in the IPL, being retained by CSK at a significant cost of INR 12 crore for the 2022 season. In contrast, an uncapped player retained that year cost INR 4 crore.

Dhoni’s future in the IPL has been a topic of much speculation. After undergoing knee surgery in 2023, he handed over the CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad for the 2024 season and played a limited role. Recently, Dhoni mentioned that he and CSK would await the finalisation of player retention rules before deciding on his future.

Balancing Fairness and Market Dynamics

Despite the debate on retired players, there was consensus among the franchises on allowing Indian players who had not played international cricket for five years to lower their base prices at the auction. Currently, the IPL sets the lowest base price for capped Indian players at INR 50 lakh.

IPL Chief Operating Officer Hemang Amin suggested that a lower base price would increase the likelihood of these players being bought at the auction. A franchise head pointed out that capped Indians who have not played internationals for years often go unsold due to higher base prices. This adjustment could help them find opportunities and continue their careers in the IPL.

Evaluating The Implications

The discussion highlights the complexities of balancing respect for a player’s career with the practicalities of the auction market. Treating retired players as uncapped could undervalue their experience and contributions, while also disrupting the auction dynamics. On the other hand, providing opportunities for players who have drifted away from international cricket aligns with the IPL’s ethos of nurturing and showcasing talent.

The potential rule change also reflects the evolving landscape of cricket, where the lines between international and domestic careers blur, especially in franchise-based leagues like the IPL. The decisions made will significantly impact not just the players but the competitive balance and financial strategies of the franchises.

Future Directions

As the IPL moves towards the 2025 auction, the finalisation of these rules will be crucial. Whether Dhoni continues to grace the IPL or moves on will depend on these retention policies, which will shape the strategies of teams and the careers of many players.

The broader question remains: how can the IPL best respect the legacies of retired players while ensuring a fair and dynamic auction process? The discussions and decisions in the coming months will be pivotal in addressing this balance.