Former Indian cricketer, MS Dhoni was spotted arriving in Chennai, a few weeks ahead of the mega auction of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper checked into a hotel in the South Indian city on Thursday, January 27. Dhoni is expected to join the Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) preparation for the mega auction, scheduled to be taking place on February 12 and 13.

MS Dhoni has always played an integral role in the team’s auction business and CSK is known for doing well at the auction table despite some surprising picks in the past. CSK has retained four cricketers, including their skipper, Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Moeen Ali.

The 💛 goes 😁, every single time! #ThalaDharisanam #WhistlePodu 🦁 pic.twitter.com/IihZJsuDVQ

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 27, 2022

CSK has retained Ravindra Jadeja for the price tag of INR 16 crores, while MS Dhoni was retained the took home Rs 12 crore. Ali was retained for Rs 8 crore while Gaikwad bagged INR 6 crores. CSK will have INR 58 crore as they head into the mega auction, looking to pick a well-balanced squad in the ahead of up to their title defense in the IPL.

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MS Dhoni had ended speculation about his future in the IPL when he said at an event in Chennai that he would want to continue playing for CSK and that his farewell match would be in Chennai. It remains to be seen if MS Dhoni continues with the franchise beyond IPL2022. The CSK skipper had spoken in the last season about IPL auction dynamics at length and how CSK would like to build a core that would serve them well for at least the next 5-10 years.

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ahead of the IPL 2022 season, speculation was rife that Dhoni may hand over the reins of the team to all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. Even Chennai Super Kings posted a photo of Jadeja and Dhoni when these reports went viral. But now a CSK official has put a full stop to all the speculation and confirmed that Dhoni will lead the team in the upcoming 2022 season.

AS per the reports of Insidesport, the CSK OFFicial said, “There have been no discussions regarding the matter. We will cross the bridge when the time comes. Dhoni is our captain. He is the first player of CSK and when he decides to step down, he will make that call. We are now focused on the auction.”

Explaining the same, MS Dhoni said, “Well it’s not about me playing for CSK, it’s about what is best for CSK. The core group, we have to have a hard look to see who can contribute for the next 10 years.”