Fri Nov 01 09:28:49 UTC 2024: ## Dhoni Returns to Chennai Super Kings for 18th IPL Season!

**Chennai, October 31:** Cricket legend and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni will be back in action for the upcoming IPL season, marking his 18th appearance in the tournament. Fans, who had been eagerly anticipating Dhoni’s return, were overjoyed by the confirmation from CSK on Thursday.

Dhoni’s return was made possible by the reintroduction of the “uncapped player” rule by the IPL governing council. This rule, which was scrapped in 2021, states that capped Indian players who haven’t played international cricket in the last five years and lack a BCCI Central Contract are considered uncapped.

This rule allowed CSK to retain Dhoni for a mere INR 4 Crore, a significant saving for the team. Dhoni has been a mainstay for CSK since the IPL’s inception, leading them to a record five titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023.

In addition to Dhoni, CSK retained Ruturaj Gaikwad (INR 18 Crore), Matheesha Pathirana (INR 13 Crore), Shivam Dube (INR 12 Crore), and Ravindra Jadeja (INR 18 Crore), bringing their total retention spend to INR 65 Crore. The team will now use their remaining INR 55 Crore in the mega auction to build out the rest of their squad.

With Dhoni back in the fold, CSK fans can look forward to another exciting season of IPL action from their beloved “Thala”.

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