MS Dhoni is reportedly not keen to be the first pick of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2022. MS Dhoni wants the franchise to prioritize other players who deserve to earn more than him as he is nearing the fag end of his illustrious career, having already retired from international cricket.
The final phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction had fans wondering whether they had seen MS Dhoni’s last. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper left the question unanswered as IPL’s season 14 concluded, but reports suggest that the franchise has retained him ahead of the IPL 2022 auction. However, the order of his retention isn’t confirmed yet.
MS Dhoni Expressed Skepticism Over Retention By CSK In IPL 2022
MS Dhoni is no longer the player he used to be. Having retired from international cricket in 2020, the wicket-keeper batsman is only playing IPL when it comes to professional cricket. With the IPL 2022 season set to witness a mega auction, MS Dhoni himself had expressed skepticism over his retention, considering the franchise will only be able to keep hold of a maximum of 4 players.
As per a report, Chennai’s top priority remains MS Dhoni despite the fact that his prowess with the bat is nowhere near what it used to be a few years ago. However, the Ranchi-born wicket-keeper batsman doesn’t want to be CSK’s top pick as that would see him earning the most money. Instead, he wants the management to prefer another player who is worthy of being their top-earning player.
It has to be noted that if CSK is retaining a total of 4 players, their top pick will earn a whopping INR 16 crore. The franchise, reportedly, doesn’t mind retaining MS Dhoni for the price, thinking if he retires after IPL 2022 season, it will have a bigger purse for the IPL 2023 season.
The No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4 picks will earn INR 12cr, 8cr, and 6cr, respectively. While skipper MS Dhoni is the franchise’s No. 1 priority, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and opening batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad are next on the list.
Chennai Super Kings Can Retain Only One Of Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Josh Hazlewood, Dwayne Bravo, And Faf du Plessis
From the overseas lot, Chennai Super Kings has its eyes on Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Josh Hazlewood, Dwayne Bravo as well as Faf du Plessis. However, only one of them can be retained.
The chances of Moeen Ali and Sam Curran staying at the franchise are higher considering they both are all-rounders and have contributed significantly towards CSK’s success in the recent past. The Chennai Super Kings are also expected to target those they fail to retain in the auction.
The now 40-year-old MS Dhoni started his T20I career, guiding Team India to glory in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2007, a year before IPL started. Thereafter, he helped his IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings win the Indian Premier League four times and the Champions League T20 a couple of times as well.
MS Dhoni scored exactly 200 runs in IPL 2020, averaging a below-par 25 while managing only 114 runs in IPL 2021 in 16 games averaging a dismal 16.28. His strike rate was also below 120 both times. MS Dhoni still remains the only skipper to win all 3 ICC titles the inaugural T20I World Cup (2007), the 50 overs ODI World Cup after a hiatus of 28 years (2011), and the Champions Trophy (2013).