CSK went for MS Dhoni after opting out of choosing an icon player: N Srinivasan

Former Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president N Srinivasan has revealed how MS Dhoni went to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2008 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The 39-year-old has been a part of the Yellow Army for 10 seasons and has guided them to the semis/playoffs ever other time, even winning the title three times.

Srinivasan said CSK roped in Dhoni because he didn’t want an icon player. The veteran said how the Super Kings had the option of going for the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, but they zeroed in on the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning captain. Sachin went on to play for the Mumbai Indians (MI), the four-time champions of the cash-rich IPL.

That’s how we got MS Dhoni, says Srinivasan

“When it came to USD 1.5 million, I think they realised they would have to pay Sachin USD 1.65 million and Dhoni USD 1.5 million, five million was the purse and sixty per cent of the purse would go on these two players. So, they stopped and that’s how we got Dhoni because I said I don’t want an icon,” Srinivasan was quoted as saying in Sportscafe.

“Therefore, all them said they wanted icons, they had to pay the icon 10 per cent than the highest paid player of the team in the auction. So, when the bidding went on for Dhoni, I was clear at any price MS Dhoni,” he stated.

Srinivasan, also the CSK’s former franchise owner, said that Dhoni was good at spotting talents, helping the team to a large extent.

“He is a person, you know, you give him any team he will lead it. He is good at spotting talent. There are some players in the CSK team suggested by Dhoni who were not as prominent as they are today,” Srinivasan added.

Under Dhoni, the Super Kings also won two Champions League T20 titles. In last year’s IPL final, CSK lost the final to MI by a solitary run. The Jharkhand-born retired from international cricket on Saturday, August 15 and will next be seen in the CSK colours during the IPL, starting September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).