The deadline for retaining players ahead of the mega auction is October 31, 2024. Kasi Viswanathan reiterated that Chennai Super Kings want MS Dhoni to play at least one more season in the IPL. Unlike in previous years, when he made it clear that he would return for the following season, Dhoni has remained tight-lipped about his future in the IPL. He had hinted that IPL 2024 would be his last, but CSK's failure to reach the playoffs is expected to have led to a change in plans. "We also want Dhoni to play in the CSK team. But Dhoni has not confirmed it to us yet. Dhoni said, 'I will tell you before October 31.' We hope that he will play," Kasi Viswanathan said at an event, as quoted by Sports Vikatan.  which allows teams to retain players who have not played international cricket in the last five years at a cost of Rs 4 crore, has triggered speculation that CSK might use it to retain MS Dhoni. The former CSK captain, 43, last played for India in the 2019 World Cup semi-final defeat to New Zealand in July 2019. CSK aims to retain their core for the IPL 2025 season. IPL organisers announced that each team can retain a maximum of six players from their existing squad through retention before the auction and Right To Match cards during the auction. Each team can retain up to five capped players and two uncapped players ahead of the mega auction. Dhoni played all 14 matches for the Super Kings last season despite managing a knee niggle. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 220, primarily playing cameo roles lower down the order. In the 2023 season, when he captained the Super Kings to their fifth crown, Dhoni scored 104 runs at a strike rate of 182.46. Acknowledging his age and ability, Dhoni has often asserted that his future with the Super Kings will depend on auction and retention rules, making it clear that he doesn't want to affect the team's balance moving forward. Yet, the former India cricketer remains one of the most sought-after players in the IPL.