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Follow UsFor the 2025 season, the Indian Premier League (IPL) have brought back the age old rule of considering capped Indian players who have not represented the India team in last five years (or have not held a central contract with the BCCI for the same period) as uncapped players.
This rule was introduced in the inaugural edition of IPL in 2008 but was scrapped in 2021. The rule has once again come back now, and it'll thereby allow CSK to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player for INR 4 crore.
However, apart from Dhoni, there are a few other notable players who have not played for India in last five years and are eligible to be retained under this rule.
Last appearance for India: July 19th 2015 vs Zimbabwe, Harare (T20I)
Performance in IPL 2024: 10 inns, 13 wickets, 8.18 economy, 17.5 SR
Sandeep Sharma has been a slog over specialist for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) across the last two seasons. The 31-year-old was written off not too long ago, but across IPL 2023 & IPL 2024, he was an absolute gun for RR, taking 23 wickets at an E.R of 8.4. A remarkable 16 of his 23 wickets during this period came in the 16-20 phase. He was so good that a lot of people started clamouring for him to be picked in the Indian T20I side.
Considering his recent form, the chances of Sandeep getting more than INR 4 crore at the auction are very high. It's hence highly likely that RR will retain him for INR 4 crore as an uncapped player under the new rule.
Last appearance for India: February 24th 2019 vs Australia, Vizag (T20I)
Performance in IPL 2024: 7 inns, 8 wickets, 11.8 economy, 16.5 SR
Mayank Markande is only 26 years old but is eligible to be retained under this rule because he last played for India over five years ago.
The leggie was a bankable spinner for the Sunrisers Hyderabad side in IPL 2024. Even though he was expensive (E.R 11.8), the 26-year-old was successful in taking wickets during the middle overs, with all his scalps coming in the 7-15 phase.
SRH will unquestionably prioritise retaining Nitish Reddy, but in the scenario that Nitish gets capped, there's a high chance that they will go ahead and retain Markande as an uncapped player.
Last appearance for India: June 27th 2019 vs West Indies, Manchester (ODI)
Performance in IPL 2024: 7 inns, 83 runs, 16.6 avg, 115 SR
Another relatively surprising name that can be retained under this rule is Vijay Shankar.
Shankar has been a vital part of the middle-order for Gujarat Titans in last three seasons. Even though he had a poor IPL 2024, his prior two season in 2022 and 2023 showed he can be a big hitter in the middle overs along with providing some medium pace with the ball if and when the need arises. He was, in fact, exceptional in IPL 2023, averaging 37 while striking at 160.
INR 4 crore is great value for money for an experienced campaigner like Shankar.
Last appearance for India: October 25th 2015 vs South Africa, Mumbai (ODI)
Performance in IPL 2024: 11 inns, 13 wickets, 10.9 economy, 18.0 SR
Mohit Sharma had a career renaissance with Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023 as he picked up 27 wickets, finishing as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the competition. Mohit had a relatively poor IPL 2024 but still picked 13 wickets in total.
His ability to bowl slower ones and back of hand deliveries in slog overs makes him a quality bowler whom GT can bank on.
It is unlikely that Mohit will fetch more than INR 4 crore at the auction, but the option of retaining him is open for the Titans.
Last appearance for India: December 22nd 2012 vs England, Mumbai (T20I)
Performance in IPL 2024: 11 inns, 13 wickets, 8.9 econ, 16.2 SR
Piyush Chawla is someone who has had an everlasting impact in the IPL. Since IPL 2023, the Gujarat leg spinner has had two excellent seasons for Mumbai Indians (MI) as their only quality spinner.
In fact, Chawla has been the most successful bowler in the middle overs (7-15) since 2023, picking the most wickets in this phase (30). The veteran is still only 35 and is definitely capable of delivering one or two more solid seasons.
MI will look to retain Nehal Wadhera as their uncapped player, but, again, the door is open for them to retain Chawla as well.
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Apart from these players above, there are few others who are eligible to be retained under this rule.
Last appearance for India: December 9th 2014 vs Australia, Adelaide (Test)
Performance in IPL 2024 (RCB): 9 inns, 7 wickets, 10.6 econ, 20.6 SR
Last appearance for India: February 1st 2017 vs England, Bengaluru (T20I)
Performance in IPL 2024 (LSG): 1 inns, 1 wicket, 10.0 econ, 12.0 SR
Last appearance for India: June 18th 2016 vs Zimbabwe, Harare (T20I)
Performance in IPL 2024 (PBKS): 1 inns, 0 wickets, 11.7 econ
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