Tag: MS Dhoni

  • Dwayne Bravo reveals MS Dhoni forced him to join Kolkata Knight Riders

    Dwayne Bravo reveals MS Dhoni forced him to join Kolkata Knight Riders

    Former West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo has made an intriguing revelation about his decision to become the mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The former cricketer revealed that he consulted Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni before accepting the Kolkata Knight Riders’ offer for IPL 2025.

    Bravo has been appointed as the mentor of the Knight Riders for IPL 2025. He replaced Gautam Gambhir, who played a crucial role in KKR’s success last season alongside head coach Chandrakant Pandit. KKR secured their third IPL title in 2024 with an eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.

    They Brought Me to Continue Their Legacy – Dwayne Bravo on Joining KKR as Mentor

    In an Instagram video, Dwayne Bravo was asked whom he would support if Kolkata Knight Riders played Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 final. Bravo stated that it was a tough choice but backed KKR. He added that the franchise brought him in to continue their legacy.

    “Kolkata vs CSK, IPL final. I obviously want Kolkata to win. It’s sad but that’s where I’m coaching and that’s where they brought me to continue their legacy. Dhoni will understand,” Bravo said.

    I Only Accepted the Offer After MS Dhoni Said Accept It – Dwayne Bravo

    The 41-year-old revealed that he called MS Dhoni personally before accepting the role of Kolkata Knight Riders’ mentor. He stated that he only took the job after receiving Dhoni’s approval. Bravo expressed gratitude toward the former CSK captain and the franchise.

    “When I got the job offer, I called him personally and I only accepted the offer after he said accept it. So, that’s the respect I have for him and the organization. Everyone really supported my decision, I’m happy and grateful for that and now I have to do what I have to,” Bravo added.

    Dwayne Bravo Ended 13-Year Association with Chennai Super Kings

    Dwayne Bravo ended his 13-year association with Chennai Super Kings, where he won four IPL titles in different roles. He played for CSK from 2011 to 2022 before becoming a bowling coach in 2023 and 2024.

    Bravo is regarded as one of the greatest T20 players. Over his IPL career, he played for Mumbai Indians, CSK, and Gujarat Lions. The right-arm pacer featured in 161 matches and took 183 wickets. He is the third-highest wicket-taker in tournament history. With the bat, he also scored 1,560 runs in the league.

    Bravo never played for the franchise in the IPL but has a connection with the Knight Riders setup. He led Trinbago Knight Riders to multiple Caribbean Premier League titles and also served as a coach for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in ILT20.

    Ajinkya Rahane-led KKR will kick off their IPL 2025 campaign against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, March 22.

    Also read: “Nothing against Virat Kohli” – Adam Gilchrist shockingly predicts RCB to finish last in IPL 2025



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  • WATCH: MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh reunion sparks Salman Khan-Ashneer Grover comparisons

    WATCH: MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh reunion sparks Salman Khan-Ashneer Grover comparisons

    The cricketing world recently witnessed a nostalgic reunion as two legends of the game, MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh, came together at a public event. The duo, who shared the field for India and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), have been instrumental in some of the country’s most iconic cricketing moments, including World Cup victories in 2007 and 2011. However, their recent meeting sparked unexpected reactions on social media, with fans drawing hilarious parallels to Bollywood star Salman Khan and former Shark Tank India judge Ashneer Grover. While the meeting was cordial, the internet couldn’t resist adding its own twist to the story.

    MS Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh’s reunion stirs nostalgia

    Dhoni and Harbhajan’s camaraderie on the field has been well-documented over the years. From lifting trophies together to strategizing during high-pressure matches, their partnership has been a cornerstone of Indian cricket’s golden era. Dhoni, the calm and composed captain, and Harbhajan, the fiery off-spinner, complemented each other perfectly. Their reunion at the recent event was a moment of nostalgia for fans who grew up watching them dominate the cricketing world.

    However, the warmth of their meeting was overshadowed by the internet’s creative take on the situation. Social media users quickly pointed out that the duo’s interaction reminded them of the awkward encounter between Salman and Ashneer earlier this year. For context, Grover had made some controversial remarks about Salman, which led to an uncomfortable meeting between the two. Fans couldn’t help but draw parallels, with one user quipping, “Dhoni looks like Salman Khan, and Harbhajan is giving major Ashneer Grover vibes.”

    Here’s the video:

    Also READ: “He only likes and dislikes certain acts…”: Gautam Gambhir’s childhood coach reveals the truth behind his pupil and MS Dhoni’s bond

    The reunion also brought to light Harbhajan Singh’s past comments about his relationship with Dhoni. In a candid conversation withCricketNext, Harbhajan had revealed that the two hadn’t spoken in over a decade. Harbhajan further added that their interactions were limited to the cricket ground during their CSK days. These comments resurfaced during the recent meeting, leaving fans wondering about the dynamics of their relationship off the field.

    No, I don’t speak to Dhoni. When I was playing at CSK, that’s when we spoke, but otherwise, we haven’t spoken. It’s been 10 years and more. I have no reason; perhaps he does. I don’t know what the reasons are. When we were playing in the IPL at CSK, that’s when we used to talk, and that, too, was restricted to the ground. After that, he did not come to my room, nor did I go to his,” Harbhajan said.

    Harbhajan’s fiery take on the Indian team selection

    While the reunion stole the spotlight, Harbhajan has been making headlines for his outspoken views on Indian cricket. Recently, he took to social media to criticize the Indian team management for overlooking Karun Nair in the squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Nair, who had a stellar domestic season, scoring 779 runs in eight matches, was left out of the 15-man squad.

    Is there a point playing Domestic cricket when you don’t pick players based on form & performance? #KarunNair,” Harbhajan posted on X (formerly Twitter). His comments sparked a debate among fans and experts.

    BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the issue during a press conference, acknowledging Nair’s impressive performances but explaining the challenges of fitting him into the squad. “It’s tough. Those are really special performances. But at the moment, to find a spot in this team is very difficult,” Agarkar stated in the press conference for Champions Trophy team announcement.

    Also WATCH: Harbhajan Singh and Shoaib Akhtar re-ignite India-Pakistan rivalry ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 clash



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  • Exclusive Interview: “The player I have seen and grown is MS Dhoni” – Sneh Rana talks about her cricketing journey, comebacks, inspiration and much more

    Exclusive Interview: “The player I have seen and grown is MS Dhoni” – Sneh Rana talks about her cricketing journey, comebacks, inspiration and much more

    Sneh Rana, an illustrious all-rounder hailing from the picturesque town of Uttarakhand, has emerged as a formidable force in the realm of women’s cricket. Born on February 18, 1994, she has captivated audiences with her exceptional prowess as a right-handed batter and off-spin bowler. Rana’s cricketing odyssey is a tapestry woven with remarkable comebacks, stellar performances, and an indomitable spirit that exemplifies the essence of perseverance.

    In an exclusive and revealing conversation with Cricket Times, Rana delves into the intricacies of her journey, sharing insights that illuminate both the triumphs and tribulations she has encountered along the way. With refreshing candor, she reflects on the relentless challenges of maintaining peak fitness as a female athlete in a demanding sport. Her narrative is not just one of personal achievement; it serves as an inspiring testament to the dedication and resilience required to thrive in a competitive landscape.

    As she recounts her experiences, from pivotal matches to the daily grind of training, Rana emerges not only as a talented cricketer but also as a role model for aspiring athletes. Her story resonates deeply within the cricketing community and beyond, inspiring countless individuals to pursue their passions with unwavering determination.

    Here are some highlights from the interview:

    Q. Coming from Uttarakhand, how did your cricketing journey begin?

    Rana: Yeah, so I started very young, I loved playing cricket and used to go and play with the boys, our school used to have tennis ball cricket matches where I used to participate adamantly. Therefore, I started like every other India cricketer playing on the streets, and that’s that, a start.

    Q. How did you overcome your injury break and what helped you stage a comeback?

    Rana: See, any player with an injury always has a risk factor involved, and about the time that when will you are likely to make a comeback. But keeping all things aside, I am really grateful to my family who supported me at that time. Talking about the injury, first three months were really difficult being on a bed rest for three straight months missing out on the game and involvement with it. I was very positive with the support of my family and friends that everything will eventually fall into place.

    Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with star India player Punam Raut: Role models, cricketing journey, favourite memories, Women’s ODI World Cup 2017 setback

    Q. What do you think are some of the biggest hurdles female cricketers face today?

    Rana: See when we talk about men’s cricket and women’s cricket, women’s cricket is a bit more challenging for female cricketers, as we all know there’s a menstrual cycle that comes into the picture, where women need to deal with various issues suck as cramps, mood swings etc. Cricket as a game now has been in limelight but it wasn’t that popular before, but speaking about difficulties, girls faced many hurdles earlier which women went through to make a name in this game. Yes, there are many more problems but I am sure we all will eventually able to make it through with a strong mindset.

    Q. Who or what inspired you to take up cricket as a professional sport?

    Rana: I started cricket as a fun activity and took this sport as a fun venture, later on when I got good at it, people’s appreciations and media coverage for the sport did help me to take this up as a professional sport. Earlier at my time when I was just starting there were only two names Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami which eventually also leaned me towards the sport. Speaking about inspiration I would really like to say the player, I have seen and grown is MS Dhoni, on field and off the field he has been an inspiration and learning to how to handle a tough situation.

    Q. What qualities are essential for someone to become a successful cricketer?

    Rana: The first and foremost thing is discipline, the more disciplined you are the more heights you will achieve, second is your behaviour, how you are talking to people to everyone, this is something which gets counted in terms of being successful, and the last is your attitude, how you are taking up the results, because sports is something that has many ups and lows which indeed tests a character of the player. A player needs to have a never dying attitude but for me if you ask, discipline is the most important trait a player should have.

    Here’s the full interview:

    Also READ: An Exclusive Interview with New Zealand star Xara Jetly: Netball to Cricket, Dream wickets and favourite IPL team

    This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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  • ‘Not as fit as I used to be’ – MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2025i l CricTracker

    ‘Not as fit as I used to be’ – MS Dhoni ahead of IPL 2025i l CricTracker

    Mahendra Singh Dhoni was retained as an uncapped player by Chennai Super Super ahead of Indian Premier League 2025 mega auctions. This means that the former CSK captain will be seen playing for the franchise in the coming year amidst retirement rumors. But the veteran was not at his fittest in the previous years as a knee issue troubled him throughout the tournament. 

    With the franchise aiming to claim its sixth title in 2025, the 43-year-old has shed light on his fitness. It is worth noting that the wicketkeeper-batter batted down the order throughout IPL 2024 and his strike rate hovered around 200. The Ranchi batter admitted that his fitness does not match his past versions but he added that he has kept himself busy with other sports to achieve the best results. 

    Also Read: MS Dhoni reveals best compliment he has received in life

    “I am not fit as I used to be, lot of efforts now needs to be there on what you are eating and I am doing very specific thing to be fit for cricket. We are not fast bowlers so our requirements are not that intense,” said Dhoni on Eurogrips Tyres YouTube channel. 

    “What really helps me is playing a lot of sports in between eating and going to the gym. So whenever I get time I like to play a lot of different sports, may be tennis, badminton, football, that keeps me engaged. That’s the best way of being in touch with fitness,” he added. 

    CSK had a forgettable outing in IPL 2024 as the defending champions could not make it to the playoffs under their new skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. They were outclassed by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their last league game, which turned out to be a virtual eliminator. Speaking of their auction outing, they managed to secure the services of their revered spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin and used RTM card for Kiwi opener Rachin Ravindra.

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  • MS Dhoni turns Santa Claus for his family and Kriti Sanon, pictures of the Christmas celebration go viral

    MS Dhoni turns Santa Claus for his family and Kriti Sanon, pictures of the Christmas celebration go viral

    Cricketing legend MS Dhoni has embraced the festive spirit this Christmas by donning a Santa Claus costume, delighting fans and family alike. The former Indian captain celebrated the holiday at home with his wife Sakshi and their daughter Ziva creating heartwarming moments that have gone viral on social media.

    Festive Celebrations

    Photos shared by Sakshi on social media depict a beautifully adorned Christmas tree, complete with ornaments, white flowers, and a shining star on top. The base of the tree was surrounded by colourful gifts, adding to the festive atmosphere. Dhoni, fully dressed as Santa – with a red suit, boots, and a long white beard – added a whimsical touch to the celebration with sunglasses that complemented his playful persona. One particularly touching photo shows him sharing a warm hug with Ziva, capturing the essence of family joy during the holiday season.

    Viral Moments

    The images quickly gained traction online, with fans expressing their admiration for Dhoni’s festive spirit.

    MS Dhoni with daughter Ziva on Christmas Day

    Many took to social media to comment on the heartwarming scenes, dubbing him “Mahi Santa” and praising his ability to connect with fans beyond the cricket field. The celebration not only showcased Dhoni’s playful side but also highlighted his commitment to family traditions during the holidays.

    Also READ: Here’s why Harbhajan Singh hasn’t spoken to MS Dhoni in the past 10 years

    In addition to celebrating with his family, Dhoni also welcomed Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon to join in the festivities with her boyfriend Kabir Bahia. Sanon shared her own moments from the celebration on her social media platforms, further amplifying the joyful spirit of the occasion.

    MS Dhoni with Kriti Sanon

    Dhoni’s Legacy

    Dhoni is not just revered for his cricketing prowess—being the only captain to have won all three ICC trophies (T20 World Cup in 2007, ODI World Cup in 2011 and Champions Trophy in 2013) – but also for his charismatic personality off the field. His continued popularity among fans is evident as they celebrate not only his achievements but also his personal milestones and family moments.

    MS Dhoni Christmas celebration with friends and family

    Also READ: Ravichandran Ashwin cheekily seeks CSK’s approval over a fan’s query on MS Dhoni for IPL 2025

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  • IPL 2025: Deepak Chahar unhappy with MI signing? Pacer ‘wanted to join MS Dhoni’s CSK’

    IPL 2025: Deepak Chahar unhappy with MI signing? Pacer ‘wanted to join MS Dhoni’s CSK’

    Deepak Chahar has bid farewell to Chennai Super Kings after Mumbai Indians outbid all competitors to secure his services in the recent IPL 2025 mega auction. Mumbai Indians signed Chahar and New Zealand pacer Trent Boult to strengthen their formidable fast-bowling arsenal for the next season.

    Mumbai acquired Boult for a hefty INR 12.50 crore, while Deepak Chahar was snapped up for INR 9.25 crore, which was a huge blow for Chennai Super Kings, as the five-time IPL champions were hoping to retain the seamer, who has been an integral part of their bowling attack over the years.

    Deepak Chahar opens up about his departure from Chennai Super Kings and move to Mumbai Indians after IPL 2025 Mega Auction

    Recently, Chahar has shared his admiration for MS Dhoni, saying it was the legendary cricketer’s immense support that made him want to stay with the Chennai Super Kings. However, the Indian seamer had accepted the reality that his return to Chennai Super Kings was unlikely with his name coming up late on day two of the mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last month.

    Read Also: Rishabh Pant given leadership lollipop by Sanjiv Goenka as LSG captaincy Musical Chair intensifies

    Despite CSK’s best efforts and limited purse, the five-time IPL champions were unable to secure Deepak Chahar. However, Chennai bid till INR 9 crore despite a purse of INR 13 crore remaining at the mega auction, and the bowler felt lucky that they went so far for him, but Mumbai managed to bring him on the board.

    Reflecting on the auction, Chahar admitted that he had expected a tough battle for him, given the restrictions CSK faced with their available funds. His departure from the Chennai franchise marked the end of his era with Chennai Super Kings, but at the same time, he joined joint successful franchises in IPL history.

    I wanted to go to CSK because of MS Dhoni: Deepak Chahar

    Deepak Chahar was quoted as saying by SportsTak: “Mahi bhai has supported me from the start; that’s why I wanted to go to CSK. But my name came up on the second day at the auction, so I had a fair idea that it would be difficult for me to get back to CSK. They had a low purse but still bid till INR 9 crore despite a purse of INR 13 crore. I had made up my mind that it would be difficult. Last year, my name came first; that’s why it was easier to get back to CSK.”

    Meanwhile, Deepak Chahar has faced several injury challenges in recent years, but he has been working hard to regain his match fitness. During this period, he was just focusing on his goal to return to the Indian cricket team.

    Read Also: IPL 2025: Not Venkatesh Iyer! Ex-CSK star confirmed as new KKR captain

    Chahar further revealed that he traveled to the UK for training, where he worked with a prominent football club after the IPL 2024, and then he returned to the Ranji Trophy, bowling over 150 overs in the five red-ball matches. He is currently playing in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25.

    Deepak Chahar opens up about his journey after IPL 2024

    He further explained, “After the last IPL season, I went to the UK for training. I was training with a big football club there. Then, I came back and played five Ranji Trophy matches, bowling about 150 overs. Now, I’m playing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. So, I’ve been playing cricket regularly for the past six months, and I’ve been training well.”

    Chahar’s ultimate goal is now to represent India again, and for which he is aiming to play all 14 matches and give his best, as he believes this season is crucial for his future in international cricket.

    He signed off by saying, “My main goal is to play for India again, so I need to play all the 14 matches, play at my full potential, and then hopefully I can make a comeback for team India. This is going to be a very important season for me.”

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  • Sanju Samson’s father fires explosive allegations against Dhoni, Kohli, Rohit, Dravid: “Wasted 10 years of my son”

    Sanju Samson’s father fires explosive allegations against Dhoni, Kohli, Rohit, Dravid: “Wasted 10 years of my son”

    India National Cricket Team batter Sanju Samson’s father, Vishwanath, has accused MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma of wasting 10 years of his son’s career. He made a strong statement, saying that three stalwarts of Indian cricket hurt him, but he came out with an even stronger response.

    Sanju Samson’s father’s comments came after his son came up with two back-to-back centuries in the T20I cricket. The keeper-batter, who has been in and out of the Indian team, has got the new role of opening under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir.

    Sanju Samson registers two ducks after two centuries in T20Is

    Sanju Samson, although it took some time to get going in the opening role, made sure he developed himself in the role. He set the stage on fire in the last T20I against the Bangladesh National Cricket Team as he slammed his maiden T20I century and made a strong statement.

    However, after that, he didn’t look back as he started the ongoing T20I series against South Africa where he left off against Bangladesh National Cricket Team. The keeper-batter came up another century and became the first India batter to hit two back-to-back centuries in T20Is.

    But since the last two games, Samson has failed to maintain the consistency. The opening batter, who hit two centuries on the trot, bagged two consecutive ducks. He became the India batter with the most number of ducks in T20Is in a single year as he got out without scoring five times this year.

    There are 3-4 people who wasted 10 years of my son’s vital career – Sanju Samson’s father

    With Samson going through a roller-coaster ride, his father’s comments have gone viral. Vishwanath stressed that his son didn’t get opportunities under MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. Speaking to the Malayalam-language television channel MediaOne, he said:

    “There are 3-4 people who wasted 10 years of my son’s vital career…captains like Dhoni ji, Virat [Kohli] ji, Rohit [Sharma] ji and coach [Rahul] Dravid ji. These four people wasted 10 years of my son’s life but the more they hurt him, the stronger Sanju came out of the crisis.”

    Samson’s father lashed out at former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth for his comments after his son slammed ton against Bangladesh. He thrashed the former BCCI selector, saying that Sanju has a classical touch like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. He explained:

    “What hurt me bad was comments from [Kris Srikkanth], the player from Tamil Nadu. I don’t know what he has played. To this day, that individual has not spoken a good word of encouragement about my son, but has hurt him a lot with his words.”

    “He said – ‘against whom did Sanju score a century? It was only Bangladesh,’. People have been saying he [Srikkanth] was a great player but I haven’t seen it. Century is a century, and that guy has scored only 26 runs against Bangladesh. Sanju has scored a hundred and he is a player with a classical touch like Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. At least respect that!”

    With one more T20I remaining against the South Africa National Cricket Team, Sanju Samson will be having a great opportunity to make a mark.

    Also Read: Watch: Sanju Samson creates unwanted record after being bamboozled by Marco Jansen in Centurion T20I

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  • KL Rahul picks 1 from MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma

    KL Rahul picks 1 from MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma

    Team India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul was put in a challenging situation when asked to choose his ideal teammate for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025). Rahul was given the options of veteran batters Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni, who have been retained by their respective franchises.

    Rahul was released by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, which is scheduled to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Super Giants retained Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Ayush Badoni, and Mohsin Khan for the IPL 2025.

    This Is A Real Pickle You Have Put Me In – KL Rahul

    During an interview on Star Sports, KL Rahul was asked to choose his ideal IPL 2025 teammate from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni in a segment called ‘KL in a Pickle’. Rahul admitted it was a difficult question to choose just one, adding that he had enjoyed playing with all three.

    “Pick an IPL teammate in 2025 – Rohit, Virat or Dhoni?” the host asked.

    “I don’t know. It’s a tough one. This is a real pickle you have put me in. I have enjoyed playing with all of them. Very tough to answer,” Rahul replied.

    Watch from 17:10 onwards:

    Virat Kohli Is All-Time Leading Run-Scorer In IPL History

    Virat Kohli is the all-time leading run-scorer in the IPL with 8,004 runs. Rohit Sharma is third with 6,628 runs, while MS Dhoni is sixth with 5,243 runs. Rahul is currently in 11th place with 4,683 runs in 132 matches at an impressive average of 45.47 and strike rate of 134.61, including 4 centuries and 37 fifties.

    KL Rahul also captained the Lucknow Super Giants from 2022 to 2024. The team reached the playoffs in 2022 and 2023 but couldn’t clinch the title. However, they finished seventh in the points table in 2024. The Karnataka-born cricketer will enter the IPL 2025 mega auction with a base price of ₹2 crore.

    Would Never Go And Task Someone For It – KL Rahul

    KL Rahul emphasized that he would never ask for the captaincy, but he is open to taking on the responsibility after his experience in leading the team over the past few years.

    “I would never go and ask someone for it. If you feel that my leadership skills are good enough… and the way I handled my team in the last four to five years… If you find it worthy, then of course I am happy to do it,” Rahul said.

    The 32-year-old batter is the leading run-scorer for LSG in the IPL, having accumulated 1,410 runs in 38 matches at an average of 41.47 and a strike rate of 130.67, including two centuries and 10 fifties. Before his stint with LSG in the tournament, Rahul captained Punjab Kings (PBKS) for a couple of years.

    Also read: “If you ask Virat Kohli”- Ricky Ponting issues open threat to Gautam Gambhir after verbal spat

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  • IPL Auction 2025: MS Dhoni confirmed to play beyond next season as CSK CEO drops bombshell

    IPL Auction 2025: MS Dhoni confirmed to play beyond next season as CSK CEO drops bombshell

    Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan has kept the doors open for the legendary captain and wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni to play beyond the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season.

    Kasi Viswanathan said that MS Dhoni, who keeps the cards close to his chest, can play for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as long as he wants to.

    CSK retained five players ahead of the IPL auction

    Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have retained five players ahead of the Indian Premier League 2025 mega auction. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja have been retained in the top bracket and both will be paid INR 18 crore each.

    The express pacer Matheesha Pathirana has been retained for INR 13 crore and the star all-rounder Shivam Dube has been retained for INR 12 crore.

    CSK’s fifth and final retention is the legendary skipper MS Dhoni, who has been retained for INR 4 crore. Notably, Dhoni has been retained in the uncapped category.

    Meanwhile, CSK have a lot of work to do when they enter the mega auction on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 1,574 players have registered for the auction and the BCCI will now shortlist players.

    Also Read: IPL Auction 2025: Ruturaj Gaikwad to be replaced by Rishabh Pant as CSK captain? Franchise CEO reveals

    As far as Mahi bhai (brother) is concerned, you know he keeps everything to himself – CSK CEO on MS Dhoni

    Speaking to Ambati Rayudu on Provoke TV, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said that they are not in the mood to part ways with MS Dhoni, and the legendary skipper will make the final call on his future whenever he wants to. He said:

    “As far as Mahi bhai (brother) is concerned, you know he keeps everything to himself. It comes out at the last moment only. Knowing the passion he has for CSK, and also knowing the following he has, and he also mentioned in one of the interviews that he’ll play his last game in Chennai, we’re hoping that he will continue as far as CSK is concerned. As long as MS wants to play, the doors are open. Knowing him, his commitment, and his dedication, I’m sure he’ll always take the right decision.”

    Initially, we had conversations with both Ruturaj the captain and also MS along with Fleming – CSK CEO

    Kasi Viswanathan further spoke about the retentions of the CSK ahead of the IPL mega auction. He stated that they decided to retain their core after having discussions with MS Dhoni, team captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, and head coach Stephen Fleming.

    “As always, you (Rayudu) know better than me about the culture at CSK in the sense that we have always tried to have the core of the team. Initially, we had conversations with both Ruturaj, the captain and also MS, along with Fleming before we decided on the retentions.

    “And, we were very clear that the players would help the team to grow, (those) who had stabilized the team in the previous years. It was very easy to decide on the retentions. Ruturaj, Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja), who has had a great impact on CSK, and MS you don’t have to talk about, and Shivam Dube, which we had groomed, and MS had groomed,” he said.

    “So, we thought we should stick with them. As all of us know, Pathirana is going to be a bowler who is going to be really useful for any team he goes (to), so we thought he’ll be another one whom we can retain,” he added.

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  • Watch: Asha Sobhana pulls off Arsenal star Leandro Trossard’s celebration

    Watch: Asha Sobhana pulls off Arsenal star Leandro Trossard’s celebration

    Cricket fever has been at its peak since the time the coveted Women’s T20 World Cup started in the UAE (United Arab Emirates), on Thursday, October 3. After three games, it was time for the Women in Blue to take centre stage in Dubai, where India Women clashed with South Africa Women.

    After the African side won the toss, they decided to bat first. The decision seemed correct as the Laura Woolvaaardt-led side had got off to a flier until the seventh over. Ace leg spinner Asha Sobhana who is part of India’s XI, came into the attack after an opener in Suzie Bates had just walked back to the hut. Known for her deceptive spin and flight, Asha truly lured opener, Georgia Plimmer, who was looking set for a big score, came dancing down the track in a bid to connect for a big shot.

    However, she failed to connect quite convincingly and ended up handing a catch to Smriti Mandhana. Now as soon as the catch was complete, it was shown on TV screens that Sobhana pulled out her celebration which was associated with the popular Arsenal club footballer, Leandro Trossard. As a result, Asha derailed South Africa’s plans to score close to 180 or beyond in their 20 overs quota. She proved most economical bowler with an economy reading of just 5.50, which is decent in the T20I format.

    Check out the viral Trossard celebration of Asha Sobhana here:

    Also Read- I do feel the uncapped player rule brought back only for MS Dhoni: AB de Villiers

    Trossard is my MS Dhoni: Sobhana

    Notably, in the past as well, Asha Sobhana has been a die-hard fan of the Arsenal football star. In fact, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star spinner has once compared him to none other than the former legendary India skipper and Chennai Super Kings legend, MS Dhoni. Noticing her admiration for Trossard, the Premier League India’s social media handle decided to post a video of her confirming her love for football and cricket equally.

    “Trosaard will be coming as a finisher. He is my MS Dhoni, coming in and finishing the game. He has scored crucial goals and won us matches many times,” said Sobhana in the video.

    Meanwhile, speaking of the first game of India women, the Harmanpreet-led side found it hard to crack the target of 160 runs. Due to losing wickets at regular intervals, the Women in Blue ended up losing the Women’s T20 World Cup game by 58 runs.

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