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[Saba Sports News] MS Dhoni swiftly became a beloved figure in Chennai after leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to remarkable successes in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under his captaincy, CSK has clinched an impressive five IPL titles, marking him as a pivotal figure in the team’s history.
Dhoni, acquired by CSK in the first IPL auction in 2008 for a staggering $1.5 million, became the most expensive player at that time. This investment by Chennai has proven to be one of their best decisions over the past 15 years, with the team continuing to enjoy tremendous success under his leadership.
Richard Madley, the auctioneer in 2008, shared a photo of the first-ever auction sheet, which included Dhoni’s purchase details among other cricket stars like Shane Warne, Shoaib Akhtar, Adam Gilchrist, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Mahela Jayawardena.
In 2023, despite playing with a bruised knee, Dhoni inspired CSK to victory, clinching the title by defeating the defending champions, Gujarat Titans, in Ahmedabad. He played all 16 matches, scoring 104 runs in 12 innings with a striking rate of 182.46, showcasing his signature six-hitting prowess.
Looking ahead to the IPL 2024 auction, CSK has the fourth-largest budget, with a purse of INR 31.40 crore. This follows their decision to release Ben Stokes, who was bought for INR 16.25 crore but only played two games due to a knee injury. CSK will enter the auction with six available slots, including three for overseas players. The IPL 2024 auction is set for December 19 in Dubai.