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MS Dhoni, affectionately known as ‘Captain Cool,’ is celebrated for his unflappable demeanor and exceptional leadership. Renowned for his calmness under pressure, Dhoni serene approach has played a significant role in his illustrious career. His leadership has earned him a unique place in cricket history as the only captain to have won all three major ICC white-ball trophies: the T20 World Cup in 2007 and also the Cricket World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013. Additionally, Dhoni has led the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to an impressive five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles, equaling a record.
Despite his reputation for remaining cool-headed, a recent revelation sheds light on a rare moment when Dhoni did lose his composure. Former India and CSK teammate Subramaniam Badrinath recently shared an anecdote that highlights a different side of the legendary cricketer. In an interview with Inside Sport, Badrinath recounted an instance during a match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Chennai. where Dhoni usually composed exterior briefly cracked.
According to Badrinath, the team was chasing a modest target of around 110 runs. things went awry as wickets fell in quick succession, eventually leading to a loss. Badrinath, who was dismissed lbw by Anil Kumble, found himself in the dressing room while Dhoni was heading in. In a rare display of frustration, Dhoni kicked a small water bottle out of the park. The intensity of the moment was such that the rest of the team avoided making eye contact with him, a testament to how unusual this outburst was.
This incident highlights that, despite his reputation for maintaining calmness, Dhoni, like any human can experience moments of frustration. such outbursts are exceptional rather than the norm and Dhoni ability to control his emotions on the field remains one of his most commendable traits.
As the IPL mega auction approaches, there is ongoing speculation about Dhoni future in the tournament. The 43-year-old, who retired from international cricket in August 2020, has been tight-lipped about his participation in IPL 2025. With a major auction on the horizon, CSK faces a dilemma regarding whether to retain Dhoni. Retaining him would occupy one of the limited slots available, potentially impacting their ability to build a competitive squad. Conversely, excluding Dhoni would mean parting ways with a legendary captain who has been instrumental in the franchise success.
The uncertainty surrounding Dhoni future underscores the challenges that franchises face in balancing team dynamics with honoring the legacy of iconic players. As CSK weighs its options, the decision regarding Dhoni involvement will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
Dhoni Set for CSK Return in IPL 2025?
MS Dhoni is expected to return for IPL 2025 as part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), thanks to a potential change in auction rules. Reports suggest that the BCCI may revert to the old rule of classifying retired international players as uncapped, which would allow Dhoni to continue playing. This development, reported by Cricbuzz, is a significant boost for both Dhoni fans and CSK management.
Dhoni has remained silent about his future, adding to the anticipation among fans. the hints of transition were visible when he handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad earlier this year. Despite dealing with a persistent knee injury, Dhoni led CSK to victory in the 2023 season before stepping down as captain, ending his stint as one of the most successful IPL skippers alongside Rohit Sharma.
Following successful knee surgery, Dhoni return to training just before the 2024 season surprised many. He played crucial cameo roles, primarily batting at number 8, demonstrating his enduring commitment to the team.
CSK Team 2024: Chennai Super Kings IPL 2024 Auction Buys
In the recent mini-auction, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) aimed to fill six slots and made strategic buys to strengthen their squad. Their biggest acquisition was New Zealand Daryl Mitchell, who was secured for a substantial INR 14 crore, making him their most expensive purchase at the IPL 2024 auction.
CSK also made notable additions with the signing of Rachin Ravindra and Shardul Thakur for INR 1.80 crore and INR 4 crore, respectively. Following the retirement of Ambati Rayudu, the team invested heavily in a promising young middle-order batter, Sameer Rizvi, paying INR 8.40 crore to bring him on board. Additionally, they managed to acquire Mustafizur Rahman at his base price, rounding out their acquisitions for the season.
IPL 2024 Auction Rules
The 10 franchises would have to follow the following rules formulated for the IPL 2024 auction:
- Each team should spend at least 75% of their entire budget.
- Teams won’t be able to use the Right to Match (RTM) card option.
- Each team can have a minimum of 18 players which can go up to no more than 25 in the squad.
- Every team needs to have at least 17 Indian players in their squad which can go up to a maximum of 25 in number.
IPL 2024 Auction CSK Purse Value
The five-time champions freed up their purse by releasing 8 players from their 2023 squad. As a result, they had INR 31.40 crores in their purse to fill up the remaining 6 slots.
IPL 2024 CSK Retained Players List
The CSK unit retained 19 players from their 2023 squad. Along with some renowned faces, the CSK franchise decided to keep the majority of their youngsters as well. Simarjeet Singh, Shaik Rasheed, Tushar Deshpande andRajvardhan Hangargekarall will be part of the CSK squad in 2024.
MS Dhoni Family-Backed Startup Roars! Touches Stunning $125 Million Valuation
A start-up backed by MS Dhoni’s family has reached a remarkable milestone, achieving a valuation of $125 million following a successful $20 million seed funding round. Centricity, supported by Dhoni family, has seen impressive growth and now boasts significant backing from various investors.
The latest funding round was led by Lightspeed, with returning investors such as Burman Family Office and Shantanu Agarwal also participating. Notably, MS Dhoni family office is among the new investors, highlighting their continued commitment to the venture. Other key investors include Ritesh Agarwal, Aakash Chaudhry, NB Ventures, Ritesh Vishal Dhupar, MMG Group, and Action Tesa. Additionally, the start-up attracted investment from Korean venture capital firm Paramark VC. Dhoni, while remaining an active cricketer, has diversified his interests with significant investments outside the cricket field, and Centricity’s growth reflects the success of these ventures.
Will MS Dhoni Play IPL 2025?
A start-up supported by MS Dhoni family has achieved a significant milestone, reaching a valuation of $125 million after raising $20 million in its latest seed funding round. While Dhoni remains actively involved in cricket, he has also made notable investments outside the sport.
The start-up, Centricity, which has the backing of Dhoni family, saw its valuation soar following this successful funding round. Led by Lightspeed, the round also saw participation from previous investors such as Burman Family Office and Shantanu Agarwal. Among the new investors were Dhoni family office, along with other notable figures like Ritesh Agarwal, Aakash Chaudhry, NB Ventures, Ritesh Vishal Dhupar, MMG Group and Action Tesa. The round also included investment from the Korean venture capital firm Paramark VC. Dhoni involvement in this venture underscores his successful transition from cricket to entrepreneurship.
