CSK celebrate 16 years of Chennai's adopted son MS Dhoni

In a nostalgic throwback, Chennai Super Kings marked 16 glorious years since they secured the services of the iconic Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the IPL auction. On this very date in 2008, the franchise made a game-changing move by acquiring the then-India limited-overs captain for a substantial sum of USD 1.5 million.

Reflecting on this milestone, the team shared a heartfelt message on social media, "16 years - 1 Name!" alongside a captivating photo featuring Dhoni in 2008 and a recent picture, showcasing his journey from 2008 to lifting the IPL trophy in 2023.

As the Ranchi wicketkeeper gears up to lead the team once again in the upcoming 17th season of the IPL, fans are eagerly anticipating Dhoni's return. The 42-year-old skipper, who underwent knee surgery post the last IPL season, has been diligently working on his rehabilitation and has been spotted honing his skills at the Jharkhand Cricket Association Stadium nets.

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Taking a stroll down memory lane, it all began in the auction room in Mumbai on February 20, 2008, when CSK outbid others to secure Dhoni's services. With a base price of USD 400,000, the then-India limited-overs captain was eventually bought for a whopping Rs 1.5 million, making him the costliest buy of that auction.

Interestingly, Dhoni was not the first choice for CSK's owner, Mr. N Srinivasan, who initially favoured Virender Sehwag. However, it was the late VB Chandrasekhar who convinced Srinivasan of Dhoni's unparalleled charisma and match-winning abilities.

"Before the auctions in 2008, Mr. N Srinivasan asked me, “Who are you going to pick?” I said Dhoni. He asked, “Why not Virender Sehwag?” I said Sehwag would not provide me with the kind of inspiration that the crowd will be looking forward to, whereas Dhoni is a captain [he was new as India's limited-overs captain then], a wicket-keeper and a batsman who can change the match situation on his own. So I asked him if I could look for him," Chandrasekhar was quoted as saying by India Today. 

"He said, “I would rather have Sehwag.” But the next day morning, he came and said, 'Go and get Dhoni'," he added.

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Since then, Dhoni has become synonymous with Chennai Super Kings, leading them to five IPL titles and forming an unbreakable bond with the fans. His affection for the team was evident even during the suspension period when he played for Rising Pune Supergiant.

As we gear up for IPL 2024, the anticipation is high, and the cricketing world eagerly awaits the return of the maestro, MS Dhoni, to the helm of the Chennai Super Kings.