October 15, 2021, saw Chennai Super Kings win yet another IPL final; this time, by beating Kolkata Knight Riders. The Chennai-based franchise is arguably the most successful one in the history of the Indian Premier League. They’ve featured in nine IPL finals, bossing four and losing five.
Obviously, they’ve always had a formidable team, but a lot of the credit has to be given to Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He’s marshalled ‘The Yellow Army’ in all 12 seasons, taking them to the playoffs every year but 2020. Time and again, his astute leadership has helped them revive dead matches.
But there’s a catch: the retention rules for the 2022 mega auction are still unknown. Rumours doing rounds suggested that Chennai might think twice before retaining Thala Dhoni if the auction rules were complex. But in the latest turn of events, a CSK official’s statement has quashed any such rumours. Well, All of them.
MS Dhoni all set to be CSK’s first retention
It’s highly likely. In an interview with Sports Tiger, an unnamed CSK official has confirmed that although the auction rules and number of retentions offered are yet to be disclosed, retaining MS will be their top-most priority. He’ll be their first retention no matter what. After all, the ship needs its captain. Or else, it sinks.
“There will be retention and that is a fact. The number of retentions isn’t something we are aware of yet. But honestly, that is secondary in MS’ case because the first card will be used for him. The ship needs its captain and rest assured he will be back next year,” reads the official’s full statement recorded by Sports Tiger.
Dhoni on whether he is being retained
Now then, what makes the case legit? Answer- Dhoni’s candid conversation with Harsha Bhogle. The finale’s post-match presentation saw Bhogle appreciate MS for whatever he gave to the franchise and that he can be proud of the legacy he’s left behind. He thought that IPL 2021 was MS’ last. But Dhoni smirked, saying, “I still haven’t left behind.”
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He’s still willing to play. Surely. But that’s subject to the Mega-auction’s rules as far as Dhoni’s opinion is concerned. “Again, I’ve said it before, it depends on BCCI. With two new teams coming in. We have to decide what is good for CSK. It’s not about me being there in top-three or four. It’s about making a strong core to ensure the franchise doesn’t suffer. The core group, we have to have a hard look to see who can contribute for the next 10 years,” said MS, when asked about his future plans with CSK.
He’s willing to step away if that serves the franchise better. But it doesn’t seem like the franchise officials are ready to part ways with their golden boy. Not yet.