CSK Official Confirms That MS Dhoni Will Be First Player To Be Retained In IPL 2022 Auction

"The ship needs its captain and rest assured he will be back next year," said a CSK official confirming MSD's presence in IPL 2022.

MS Dhoni with IPL Trophy 2021. (Image Credits: CSK)

IPL 2021: A lot of cricket fans speculated that the 2021 IPL Final between KKR and CSK would be the last of MS Dhoni's career as the former Indian captain is aging. 

All these speculations are put to a halt as a Chennai Super Kings (CSK) official said that MS Dhoni will be retained by the franchise for the upcoming season as well. "There will be retention and that is a fact. The number of retentions isn't something we are aware of yet. But honestly, that is secondary in MS' case because the first card will be used for him," a CSK official told ANI.

"The ship needs its captain and rest assured he will be back next year," the official added. 

The first retention card at the auction will be used for MS Dhoni: CSK official

Read @ANI |https://t.co/wFTzUsOAnX#MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/xr3PIAMYy3

— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) October 17, 2021

The CSK fans would be jumping in joy as some had thought that Dhoni appearing for the presentation ceremony at the 2021 IPL final would be his last. During the presentation after winning his 4th IPL title as a captain of CSK, Dhoni said: "I would love to thank the fans, wherever we've played, even when we were in South Africa, we've always had a good number of CSK fans. That is what you crave. Thanks to all of them, it feels like we're playing in Chennai. Hopefully, we'll be back in Chennai for the fans." (ANI)

These developments come after a spirited batting performance from veteran Faf du Plessis (59-ball 86), magical spells from Shardul Thakur (3/38), Josh Hazlewood (2/29) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/37) powered Chennai Super Kings to an emphatic 27-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021 Final on Friday at Dubai International Cricket stadium.