“I would like to see it as a three-year window” – Tom Moody on rule that makes MS Dhoni an uncapped player in the IPL

Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody has backed BCCI’s rule of uncapped players in the IPL. According to new retention rules, if a player doesn’t have a central BCCI contract and hasn’t played any International cricket in the last five years, then he can be retained as an uncapped player.

As former CSK skipper MS Dhoni retired back in August 2020, the veteran can be retained by the franchise as an uncapped player. Moody reckons it is a great rule as it values the fitness and longevity of a player.

Tom Moody said on ESPN Cricinfo, “I think it’s a great rule. I think it allows, if you are good enough and you have got longevity, it allows a player to continue to play on the big stage and perform and have some sort of role; without them, I suppose, you are making it difficult, from a price perspective, to retain those players because they might be the identity, or in Dhoni’s case, certainly he is the identity of CSK.

“So, I don’t think that’s an issue at all. I think the longer the likes of iconic players like Dhoni can play in the IPL and can physically deliver like he has been, it’s good for the tournament,” the former Australian all-rounder added.

The former SRH head coach even wants the IPL governing council to bring down the time frame from five years to three years.

“I personally think five years is a long time; I would like to see it as a three-year window. Once a player has played his last international game, I think if you are out of international cricket or you haven’t been considered to play for India over that three-year window, you should be given the right of passage to be able to come in at that four-crow level,” Moody stated.

According to new rules, an uncapped player can be retained by a franchise for INR 4 crores ahead of the mega auction. All 10 teams have been asked to give their retention list before 30th October.