IT'S TIME TO TALK ABOUT DHONI

Veteran's blade has clearly been affecting CSK over the last few years & it's now beginning to reflect quite regularly

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN @ Chennai

WHEN it was time to sign players before the first edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Chennai Super Kings, perhaps because of their prior experience in cricket, went against the grain. Even as six of the eight franchises opted to have an icon player to try and have an immediate bond with the side's stakeholders, including the fans, CSK opted to buy one and make the player the face of the franchise. Even before the auctions, it was preordained that MS Dhoni was going to be a Chennai player. They were willing to break the bank for him, willing to go where no other team wanted to. That was 2008.

In 2025, the calculation they had once shown on the auction table has deserted them. In 2008, they were brave to hedge their bets on Dhoni. In 2025, the bravery they had once shown has deserted them.

It begs the question. Is that the best use of resources?