Former India cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has strongly criticized the IPL 2025 rule allowing franchises to retain uncapped players for ₹4 crore, calling it damaging to Indian cricket. Gavaskar believes the rule was altered to accommodate MS Dhoni, who qualified as an uncapped player due to not playing international cricket for over five years.
In his column for Sportstar, Gavaskar wrote, “To accommodate Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the limit was raised to ₹4 crore. This rule can affect young players who are yet to prove themselves.”
Gavaskar Warns of Negative Impact on Young Cricketers
Gavaskar warned that sudden wealth can overwhelm young players, reducing their hunger to perform. “Most of the guys who become crorepatis overnight are overwhelmed by fortune and the pressure of sharing a dressing room with stars they once idolized,” he added
He expressed concern that many of these players don’t even feature in their state’s top-30 list, but still receive huge sums, which may hinder their long-term development.
Was the Rule Really for Dhoni? Here’s the Context
While Gavaskar claimed the rule was reintroduced to keep MS Dhoni with Chennai Super Kings, it’s important to note that the ₹4 crore cap for retaining uncapped players has been in place since the IPL 2022 mega auction, well before Dhoni became eligible.
The rule allows players who haven’t played international cricket for five or more years to be treated as uncapped and retained for up to ₹4 crore. For IPL 2025, 12 uncapped players were retained by various franchises under this rule. This included Dhoni and Rajasthan Royals pacer Sandeep Sharma.
Shashank Singh Tops List of Uncapped Retentions
Among the uncapped players retained for the IPL 2025 season, Shashank Singh emerged as the most expensive. The 33-year-old finisher was retained by Punjab Kings after delivering consistent lower-order performances.
Gavaskar Calls for Balance and Reform
Gavaskar concluded by urging the BCCI and IPL authorities to reconsider the retention structure. “Franchises may not care, but Indian cricket loses when talent development gets compromised,” he said.
With IPL 2025 nearing its business end, Gavaskar’s comments have reignited debate around fairness and intent behind player retention rules, especially for those yet to make their mark on the international stage.
Stay tuned for all the latest Cricket news, match highlights, player analysis, and viral moments!