IPL 2020: MS Dhoni offers to go back to auction pool before 2021

Three-time IPL winner, MS Dhoni has reportedly conveyed to the Chennai Super Kings' team management that he wants to go back to the auction pool before IPL 2021. This decision of Dhoni is reportedly being looked at the prospect of CSK buying their captain at a lower price.

Talking to the Times of India, a CSK source was quoted saying that Dhoni wanted to take part in IPL 2021, possibly putting an end to his retirement rumors. He said:

“There will be a big auction before the 2021 IPL and Dhoni has told us that he will play the tournament. So, there’s no question of his retirement from the T20 version anytime soon."

With Dhoni opting to participate in the auction, it will enable the CSK management to use the right-to-match card. This might help CSK bring back Dhoni at a much lower price. The source said:

"He said he can go back to the auction pool. That will give CSK the option of using the right-to-match card to pick him, maybe for a lower price. Being the captain that he is, Dhoni is ready to sacrifice money for CSK."

“We know what Dhoni means to us. We don’t want him to go back to the auction pool."

This comes days after Indian head coach Ravi Shastri stated that any Dhoni-related retirement news should not be entertained till the end of IPL 2020, as the wicket-keeper batsman is destined to represent CSK next year as well.