IPL 2022: Chennai Super Kings to retain MS Dhoni for three more seasons

Chennai Super Kings are likely to retain their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the next three seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Besides Dhoni, the Chennai-based franchise is also likely to retain all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and opener Ruturaj Gaikwad. The batter played an important role in CSK’s victory in the 2021 season.

According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) rules, each franchise, participating in the cash-rich tournament, is permitted to retain a maximum of four players.

CSK is reportedly in talks with England all-rounder Moeen Ali to join them. Since the next season of the lucrative T20 tournament will be played in India, as confirmed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, CSK feels that Moeen could play an important role on slow, turning wickets, Indian Express reported.

However, if Moeen doesn’t come on board, the Dhoni-led team will have left-arm pacer Sam Curran of England as their fourth and final retained player. Since the IPL is scheduled to have its mega auction next month, the IPL governing council has told the teams to submit the names of their retained player latest by November 30.

With CSK retaining the Ranchi stalwart, the story of MS Dhoni and CSK is far from over. At a recent event, putting his IPL retirement speculation to bed, Dhoni confirmed that he will be playing his last T20 game in Chennai.

“I have always planned my cricket. My last ODI in India was in Ranchi. Hopefully, my last T20 will be in Chennai. Whether it’s next year or in five years’ time, I don’t know,” Dhoni had said.

For the first time, the four-time IPL champions will not be retaining their go-to player Suresh Raina. Not only did the former India batter has been out of form, but was also benched in CSK’s crucial IPL knockout games.

Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals are set to retain wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, all-rounder Axar Patel, Prithvi Shaw and pacer Anrich Nortje.

According to Indian Express, the only reason Shreyas Iyer was released was that he wanted to lead the DC outfit but the management wanted Pant in the captain’s shoes.

As for Mumbai India, they are set to retain Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. While negotiations regarding Kieron Pollard are still going on, the Mumbai-based franchise wants to buy Suryakumar Yadav in the auction.

The new teams in the mix – Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG group and CVC Capitals – have already started approaching players, Indian Express reported.

In the east, KKR are likely to retain Sunil Narine and Andre Russell. As for the other two slots, talks are still on.

Players retained:

Chennai Super Kings: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali/Sam Curran

Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Axar Patel, Anrich Nortje

Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Kieron Pollard (talks on), Ishan Kishan (likely)

Kolkata Knight Riders: Sunil Narine, Andre Russell