Dhoni bats for Ashwin’s role in CSK

While CSK had already retained Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja apart from Dhoni, the fate of Ravichandran Ashwin was still unclear going into the IPL 2018 auction. Dhoni has now made it clear that the franchise will go after Ashwin in the auction. “I want local players in the CSK. Being a local lad, we will go for him during auctions and try to get him,” the former Indian captain said at an event in Chennai.

Dhoni, however, added that the franchise would not be able to use RTM cards for Ashwin and instead, they would be used to select other proven CSK performers.

It was billed as the heart-warming tale of an adored son galloping into the outstretched arms of his doting mother after a painful estrangement of two years.

And when the time for the joyful reunion arrived, Mahendra Singh Dhoni looked every bit at home in the bosom of the Chennai Super Kings family. In the presence of his friends, admirers and well-wishers, the estimable leader of CSK felt overwhelmed by the momentous occasion and quickly turned his thoughts to representing his beloved team in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.

As he always does wherever he goes, the inimitable Dhoni took the stage by storm after making a dramatic entry. With the rousing reception and the unconditional love bestowed on him each time he visits Chennai, the CSK captain should consider calling the city his first home instead of the cliched phrase ‘home away from home.’

After jostling for space, the army of photographers swooped down on him even as his faithful, of which there were many, craned their necks to feast their eyes on every minute action of his.

Back in a familiar ambience suffused with bonhomie and camaraderie, Dhoni soaked up all the adulation and flashed a knowing smile and waved his hand in acknowledgement in the direction of the packed gathering. It was then time for him to get down to the brass tacks of replying to queries on his much-awaited homecoming.

“Although I received offers from other teams, in my mind there was never a thought of playing for any other franchise other than CSK. Our biggest strength has always been our fans. Chennai is my second home and the people here have adopted me as one of their own. There can’t be a greater compliment than that,” said Dhoni to a thunderous applause.

Contrary to popular perception, Dhoni said the fan following of CSK witnessed an appreciable rise during its absence from the IPL. “We had the best possible support staff in place and a knowledgeable and sport-loving management. In the earlier editions whenever we were in danger of not qualifying for the playoffs, we somehow found a way to defy the odds and make it. The challenge now will be to start from scratch. CSK has always focused on stability and the key now will be to go for the right choice of players in the auction to carry the rich legacy forward,” remarked Dhoni.

On how challenging a task it will be to captain the team after drifting apart from that role for two years, the two-time IPL winning captain quipped that he was not the captain of the Indian team before getting to assume that responsibility.

“The wicketkeeper is always the vice-captain since he would be in the best position to analyse the game. Stats have proved that wicketkeepers have been good captains. What is more important is the kind of resources a captain has. You need to build a strong team and once that is taken care of, everything else falls in place,” explained Dhoni.

Asked for his expert views on Indian team’s Test series defeat to South Africa, Dhoni initially sidestepped the question before doing a volte-face. “I would suggest that we look at the positives. To win a Test, you need to take 20 wickets. 

Our team has done that in both the matches. Taking 20 wickets always puts the team in a position to win the match. The only thing missing is runs and the moment we start doing that, we will have a great chance,” analysed Dhoni. Even without a willow and his ’keeping gloves, Dhoni can floor the audience with his gift of the gab, something he has in abundance.