KEY POINTS

  • Aakash Chopra feels CSK must release Dhoni ahead of the mega auction
  • CSK failed to reach playoffs for the first time this season
  • CSK won the IPL title in 2010, 2011, and 2018

Former India opening batsman Aakash Chopra insisted Tuesday that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) must not retain their legendary skipper MS Dhoni, should the mega auction take place ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.

"I think CSK should release MS Dhoni going into the mega auction, if there is a mega auction then you will be with that player for three years. But will Dhoni stay with you for three years? I am not saying don't keep Dhoni, he will play the next IPL, but if you keep him as a retained player but you will have to pay Rs. 15 crore." Chopra said in a video posted on his Facebook page.

It is believed that there could be a mega auction ahead of IPL 2021. According to Chopra, CSK can utilize Dhoni’s 1.5 bn to rebuild the team from scratch. Moreover, CSK could also use the Right To Match (RTM) option during the auction and perhaps acquire Dhoni for a lesser price.

The Dhoni-led CSK have won the IPL title three times and were the first side to defend their title when they won it in 2010 and 2011. For the first time, CSK failed to make it to the playoffs at the recently ended IPL 2020, which was won by Mumbai Indians who thereby became the second side to defend their title in the Indian T20 league.

Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the IPL's biggest stars
Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is one of the IPL's biggest stars AFP / ARUN SANKAR

Chopra, who played only 10 Tests for India between 2003 and 2004, further said in the video that CSK must think beyond IPL 2021, which many consider being Dhoni’s final appearance in the league.

"If Dhoni does not stay with you for three years and he plays just the 2021 season, you will get the Rs 15 crore back for the 2022 edition, but how will you find a player worth that Rs 15 crore? That's the advantage of a mega auction, you can create a big team if you have the money. If you release Dhoni for the mega auction, you can pick him with the right to match card and you can pick the right players by having the desired money in your kitty. You can pick Dhoni in the auction, from CSK point of view, if they release Dhoni and then pick him up in auction, it would be beneficial for them," he added.