IPL 2021: MS Dhoni, Stephen Fleming to not attend the auction in Chennai

Contrary to expectations, MS Dhoni will not attend the IPL 2021 auction with the Chennai Super Kings camp on Thursday (February 18). The CSK skipper has never attended the IPL auction in the past but was widely expected to make his maiden appearance on the auction table this year after retiring from international cricket last year.

Apart from Dhoni, head coach Stephen Fleming will not attend the auction either. Fleming’s absence will be a big blow for the three-time IPL champions as the former New Zealand skipper regularly attended the auction since taking charge of the team in 2009. CSK CEO Kashi Vishwanath confirmed the news of Dhoni and Fleming’s absence from the IPL auction.

CSK CEO opines on MS Dhoni, Stephen Fleming’s absence

The reason behind Fleming’s absence is the strict rules in place for people coming to India. As per the existing rules, Fleming needed to serve a mandatory quarantine period if he traveled to India. Vishwanath, however, made it clear that the officials will be in constant touch with Dhoni and Fleming during the auction.

“They (Fleming and Dhoni) are not coming to Chennai for IPL Auctions but in today’s time, there are so many mediums to stay connected. They will be with us digitally,” the CSK CEO told InsideSport.

CSK will be looking to bolster their squad after a disappointing campaign in IPL 2020. For the first time in the history of IPL, CSK failed to make it to the playoffs as they finished at the seventh spot. CSK can sign a maximum of six players in the auction and have a purse of Rs 19.96 crore. Dhoni will be also eyeing redemption after facing severe criticism for his batting and captaincy in IPL 2020.

Ricky Ponting skips auction too, Mike Hesson to attend the event:

Talking about other teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Director of Cricket operations Mike Hesson will attend the IPL 2021 auction. The former New Zealand head coach arrived in India earlier this month and has completed his quarantine period. But unlike Hesson, Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting will miss the auction.

A Delhi Capitals official has confirmed that both Ponting and skipper Shreyas Iyer will not be present in Chennai. Assistant coaches Mohammed Kaif and Pravin Amre will take Iyer and Ponting’s spots at the IPL 2021 auction table.

“Ricky (Ponting) and Shreyas Iyer will not be going to Chennai. Instead, Kaif and Amre will be part of team management. Besides them, the Chairman, owners, and analysts will be travelling to Chennai,” said the official.