Unveiling the Surprising Truth Behind MS Dhoni's IPL Journey on His 44th Birthday
Celebrating MS Dhoni's 44th Birthday
Mumbai: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the iconic Indian wicketkeeper-batter, celebrated his 44th birthday on Monday. He is the only captain in the history of international cricket to have clinched the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy.
Affectionately known as 'Thala' by his supporters, Dhoni is revered as one of the greatest cricketers globally. He currently represents the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a franchise renowned for its success in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dhoni is particularly noted for his composed demeanor, even during high-pressure moments.
As we commemorate his birthday, let’s delve into an intriguing aspect of his IPL journey. Surprisingly, during the inaugural IPL auction in 2008, Dhoni was not the top pick for CSK. Team owner N. Srinivasan initially had his sights set on another player.
Chandrasekhar, the chief selector at that time, disclosed this fact. He recounted, 'Before the 2008 auction, N. Srinivasan inquired, ‘Who are you planning to acquire?’ I replied, ‘Dhoni.’ He then asked, ‘Why not Virender Sehwag?’ Srinivasan’s preference was the dynamic batsman Sehwag.'
Chandrasekhar elaborated on Dhoni's value, stating that Sehwag would not galvanize the team in the same way Dhoni could. He believed that Dhoni, with his roles as captain, wicketkeeper, and batsman, had the ability to change the course of a match.
Eventually, Srinivasan reconsidered and opted for Dhoni, albeit with concerns that rival franchises might outbid CSK.
Chandrasekhar mentioned that after assessing the auction landscape, they decided to increase their bid to $1.4 million while maintaining a balanced team, given their total budget was only $5 million.
As the auction date neared, speculation arose that Dhoni's bid could soar to $1.8 million. Consequently, they resolved that if the bidding surpassed $1.5 million, they would withdraw, as they needed to allocate funds for the entire team.
Ultimately, CSK secured Dhoni for $1.5 million. Since then, under his captaincy, the Chennai Super Kings have emerged as one of the most successful franchises in IPL history.
Today, Dhoni stands not only as the captain of CSK but also as the face and brand ambassador of the team. He has led CSK to IPL victories in 2010, 2011, and 2018, solidifying his status as one of the most cherished players in the tournament's legacy.