MS Dhoni has decided to wait and see the new rules before making any decisions about his future in the Indian Premier League (IPL). As the IPL plans its auction and retention policies for the 2025 season, Dhoni is particularly interested in the changes concerning player retention.
"There is plenty of time," said Dhoni, who turned 43 in July, at an event in Hyderabad. "We need to see what decisions are made regarding player retention. Right now, it’s not in our hands."
He added, "Once the rules and regulations are formalised, I will make a decision that is in the best interest of the team."
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) met with franchise owners and officials on Wednesday in Mumbai to discuss various rules, including the Impact Player rule, the number of players to retain, and the frequency of the mega auction (one is scheduled before next season).
Questions about Dhoni's future in the IPL have been a recurring topic at the end of and between seasons. Earlier this year, some of these questions were addressed when Dhoni handed over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad just before the season began.
Under Gaikwad's leadership, CSK narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing fifth with 14 points, the same as RCB, but behind on net run rate.
Last season, Dhoni took on the role of a six-hitting specialist during the death overs. He often came in during the final moments of CSK's innings, hitting 13 sixes and 14 fours in the 73 balls he faced throughout the season. His strike rate was an impressive 220.54—the first season he struck at over 200—and he remained unbeaten in eight of his 11 innings.