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The Indian Premier League (IPL) started in the year 2008. Former Team India captain and veteran wicketkeeper batsman MS Dhoni has been a part of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) since then. Dhoni has played for CSK in all seasons except 2016 and 2017. The franchise was suspended for two seasons. IPL 2024 is likely to start from March 22. Dhoni has made an interesting revelation before the 17th season. Dhoni said that he did not become a marquee player in IPL 2008 because he expected to get more money. Let us tell you that Dhoni was the most expensive selling player of IPL in 2008. He was bought by Chennai for 1.5 million dollars.
“Initially, when the five marquee players were announced, I was approached before that,” Dhoni, 42, said in a video shared by Star Sports. Asked whether I would like to become a marquee player for any franchise? I had to take a decision quickly. I was the captain of the team that won the T20 World Cup in 2007. I thought to myself that one million dollars had not gone anywhere in the auction. So this is how I took the risk of going to the auction. There were three franchises (Chennai, Hyderabad, Rajasthan) which did not have marquee players. If two out of three franchises show interest in me, there are chances of getting a higher bid in the auction.
Dhoni further said, “If you become a marquee player, somewhere in the mind of the franchise owner, this thought definitely comes that if I am buying a player for so many dollars, then I should give the marquee player 10 to 15 percent more than that.” Will have to pay more money. Accordingly, I thought it would be better for me to go to the auction. If any of the three franchises who do not have marquee players take me, there will be a chance of getting more money. And when the auction happened, Chennai bought me for 1.5 million. The idea that was there at that time worked. Now when I look back, I just think that if the dollar rate had been 70 instead of 40, I would have earned a lot more money (laughs).”
It is noteworthy that Chennai has so far won five IPL trophies (2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023) under the leadership of Dhoni. Whereas, CSK was runner-up in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2019. CSK is jointly the most successful team in the Indian League. Apart from Chennai, Mumbai Indians (MI) have also won so many titles.