Mahendra Singh Dhoni reveals that 'a lot of people' approached him for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League, but he 'can't ever think of not coming back to CSK'. Watch the video!
Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Thursday said that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will always be his first choice team in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Speaking at a promotional event in Chennai, the 36-year-old revealed that a lot of franchises had approached him for IPL 2018.
"A lot of people approached me, I can tell you that," said Dhoni. "I can't ever think of not coming back to CSK. It's because of everything - what we have been through, how we have conducted ourselves, how the management has been, how the players have been, how the fans have been.
"I always say one thing - this is a second home for me. The fans have literally adopted me, they accept me as one of their own. There can't be any bigger compliment than that. Yes, I do get love and appreciation wherever I go, but this is a special place. That thought of being with any other franchise was never a question."
Here's Dhoni's speech from Thursday
Dhoni also said CSK would be aiming to get Ravichandran Ashwin back in the fold in the upcoming IPL players' auction.
Ashwin is back in auction pool after CSK, back in the IPL fold after serving suspension in the aftermath of the 2013 spot-fixing scandal, retained Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja. The players' auction is scheduled on January 27 and 28 in Bengaluru.
"As I have said it is always a tough call. With Ashwin, you know we had done the same thing in the past. We will definitely go for him (Ashwin) in the auction. Ashwin definitely being a local lad, we want a lot of local players to be part of CSK," said MSD.
"We have two right-to-match options but having already retained three capped Indians, don't think we can use it. We will have to buy him out in the auction. As of now, it is tough to say, we will get him or him or him," he added.
"Ashwin will come first in the auction for us. But we will have to wait and watch. We will try to get him," he added.
He also stressed on the adaptability factor at the auction and said they would have to keep the emotions in check while picking the squad.
"We have made three retentions. One keeper, two batsmen. Two batsmen that can bowl. As of now it is very difficult to say whom we will get. That is the adaptability factor that we need at the auction table and we need to keep emotions in check," he said.
He also thanked the fans for their support and praised the franchise's management for backing the team. "Our biggest strength has always been the fans. All over wherever we have gone, CSK has got support. Even when we did not play in the IPL in the last two years, the fan base increased.
"There is a lot of excitement among fans about the fact that CSK is back. The fans have over here have literally adopted me, they accept me as their own. I am touched by the admiration and ovation I receive from CSK fans, which will always remain close to my heart," Dhoni said.
Dhoni said the focus at CSK was always on cricket and making sure the players did well in the opportunities they got. "We have always made sure that players who have played for CSK, even those who came from other franchises, for whatever reason, have performed well," he noted.
(Inputs from PTI)
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