Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday preserved superstars like Ravindra Jadeja (INR 16 crore), MS Dhoni (INR 12 crore), Moeen Ali (INR 8 crore) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (INR 6 crore) ahead of the IPL 2022 mega auction in January.
There were many remarkable non-attenders in CSK’s retention list, consisting Faf du Plessis. He was CSK’s second-highest run-maker (449 runs in 13 matches) during IPL 2021 and played a crucial role in their title victory last season.
Many had tipped du Plessis to be preserved by CSK, but Moeen Ali’s all-round mastery was the pivotal factor behind his retention ahead of the mega auction.
Kasi Vishwanathan, CSK CEO hasn’t eliminated the possibility of bringing back the South African batter.
“We look forward to getting them back. For example, Faf has been a team man who has taken us to the finals of two important seasons. It will be our endeavour to go and try for him. But it’s not in our hands. We wish them all the very best wherever they are. We look forward to having a very good 2022,” he stated in a video uploaded by CSK.
With CSK swanking a strong win percentage at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Viswanathan also indicated at the possibility of having a full-capacity Chepauk stadium during the forthcoming season.
“Chennai has been a very lucky ground for us; we had a good home advantage. That is because of the support we get from the CSK fans who throng the stadium. I hope that this year we get the entire MA Chidambaram Stadium for our use,” he appended.
The first name in the retention list released by CSK was of Jadeja, followed by captain Dhoni.
Nevertheless, Vishwanathan stated that the veteran wicketkeeper-batter “controls the team”, and has remained the centrepiece for CSK.
“Thala (Dhoni) has been the mainstay of CSK. He has been a captain who has delivered for us. He gets the best out of the team every time he plays. As far as we are concerned, Thala plays a major role because he controls the team, and the team is benefitted by his experience. Nobody can doubt his skills as a captain,” he voiced.
CSK will target to shield their title in the forthcoming season, which will have two new franchises — Lucknow and Ahmedabad — to the already existing group of eight teams.
