"He stood by me during the worst and best of times" - Tushar Deshpande pays tribute to MS Dhoni after being picked by RR at IPL 2025 auction
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) pacer Tushar Deshpande paid tribute to MS Dhoni after he was purchased by Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Admitting that he will miss the former CSK captain, the fast bowler said that the cricket legend stood by him through both good and bad times.
Deshpande (29), who represents Mumbai in domestic cricket, turned out for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL from 2022 to 2024. In 31 matches for the Chennai franchise, he claimed 39 wickets at an average of 26.94 and an economy rate of 9.39, with a best of 4-27.
Having been released by CSK ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, the right-arm pacer was purchased by Rajasthan Royals for ₹6.50 crore. Speaking to mid-day after being sold to RR, Deshpande acknowledged Dhoni's role in his growth as a bowler and commented:
"I will miss Mahi bhai a lot. He stood by me during the worst and best of times."
The fast bowler also expressed his excitement on the next chapter of his IPL career. Sharing his thoughts on turning out for the Royals, he said:
"Now that RR have shown great faith in me, I will give my 100 percent in each game. I am very excited to join the new team and play under Sanju Samson and learn a lot from Rahul Dravid, who has done wonders for India."
Deshpande underwent ankle surgery in London a few months back. He is undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore and is expected to be back in action in early 2025.
Tushar Deshpande's record in the IPL
Having made his IPL debut in the 2020 season, he has so far featured in 36 matches in the T20 league and has claimed 42 wickets at an average of 29.60 and an economy rate of 9.65.
The pace bowler was part of the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise in 2020 and 2021 before moving to Chennai Super Kings. He claimed 21 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 26.86 as CSK lifted the IPL title in 2023. In the 2024 season, he again impressed, picking up 17 scalps in 13 games at an average of 24.94.