[Exclusive] 'Cricket changed forever' - Former IPL auctioneer Richard Madley on MS Dhoni going to CSK in 2008

Richard Madley, the first-ever auctioneer in the Indian Premier League (IPL), opened his heart during a candid interaction with CricTracker. The 59-year-old cast his mind back to the time when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) went all out to acquire the services of the legendary MS Dhoni in the IPL 2008 auction on February 20.

Madley recalled that all the franchise representatives at the auction tables had raised their hands when Dhoni's name was announced. However, he could sense that the Super Kings were adamant about roping the then-Indian captain into their setup.

'The opening bid then we were selling in US dollars was at 400,000, and virtually, virtually everybody's paddles went up. My folklore is that every franchise bid for Dhoni that day, I don't remember that being the case. I mean, I can't imagine that Rajasthan Royals would have bid for him, because they had already bought Shane Warne. But of course, there was interest from many franchises. And I'm sure if you spoke to them now, if you spoke to RCB and to MI, I'm sure that they were interested. But you could tell by the determination of the Chennai franchise, when Mr. Srinivasan was actually in the room that day," Madley said during an exclusive interaction. 

"They (Chennai) were going to buy him. Dhoni was going to play for Chennai. It was only a matter of how much they had to pay for him," he added.

Can't remember a more significant moment in cricketing history: Richard Madley

Dhoni joined CSK for a staggering $1,500,000 (around INR 6 crore), which was 3.75 times his base price of $400,000 (around INR 1.6 crore). Madley said he instantly knew that Dhoni joining Chennai was a significant moment in the history of cricket.

"Once the hammer had dropped at that extraordinary price, I thought to myself that it was one of the most significant moments in the history of cricket. It was the day that cricket changed forever. And at the fall of the hammer on 'Mahendra Singh Dhoni SOLD for US$1.4 million to the Chennai Super Kings', I think that was the moment. And I was the person standing in the ballroom of the Oberoi Hotel with this little fellow (gavel) in my hands and dropping my hammer and going sold. And a more significant moment in the history of cricket, I can't remember. Things were never the same again. And I was there. I was very lucky," he added.

Also Read: Was aware MS Dhoni had potential to set things going in first IPL Auction: Richard Madley

Dhoni, who is 43 years old, is set to represent the Super Kings in the highly-anticipated IPL 2025. He has been retained by the five-time champions for INR 4 crore. This could be the last dance for the iconic cricketer, and his fans will love to see him going out on a high after helping the Super Kings win an unprecedented sixth IPL title.