Top IPL franchises besides CSK primed for benefits with BCCI reintroducing uncapped player rule

The BCCI has announced the reintroduction of the 'uncapped player' rule for the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. This rule, which was last enforced prior to the 2021 season, categorizes Indian players who have not represented the country in international matches within the last five years or do not hold a central contract as uncapped. Uncapped players will have a base price of INR 4 lakh, making them an enticing prospect for teams looking to strengthen their squads with promising talent.

Teams can retain up to six players, and the salary bands for retentions have been confirmed, with top-tier players receiving ₹18 crore and subsequent picks getting ₹16 crore and ₹11 crore. This rule has sparked intrigue around various franchises’ strategies for building competitive rosters while managing their financial resources effectively, given the overall purse has been increased to ₹120 crore.

The return of the uncapped player rule has naturally led to speculation about its potential benefit to Chennai Super Kings and their iconic former captain, MS Dhoni. The uncapped player rule could allow CSK to retain him without heavily impacting their salary cap. However, he is not the only one benefitting from BCCI bringing the rule back.

While much of the focus has been on MS Dhoni, several other players and teams are likely to benefit from the reinstated uncapped rule as well.

The veteran spinner, a key performer for Mumbai Indians, stands to be retained under this rule. Chawla last played for India in 2012, and has emerged as a strong asset for MI over the past couple of years. This year, while MI endured a poor season as they finished at the bottom of the table, Chawla was the second-highest wicket-taker for the side (11).

Mohit Sharma, another seasoned campaigner, has been instrumental in Gujarat Titans’ success in the past few seasons. He last played for India in 2015.

Rajasthan Royals may find value in retaining Sandeep Sharma under the uncapped category. Known for his swing bowling prowess, Sandeep represented India only twice, with both appearances coming in 2015.