A true great of the game MS Dhoni is already 41. He has been one of the most successful captains in the Indian Premier League, having led his side to five IPL titles. However, he was forced to lead the side in their title defense in the 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League after their failed attempt to install Ravindra Jadeja as the captain. The upcoming season might be the last year for Dhoni as the team needs to look beyond him and probably that could be a reason why the franchise spent a whopping sum on getting the services of England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes.
Chennai Super Kings secured the services for the next season for a whopping amount of INR 16.25 crore and made him the joint-third most-expensive player in the auction’s history. Besides Chennai Super Kings, the likes of Lucknow Super Giants, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals, and Royal Challengers Bangalore also fought hard for him, however, it was CSK who got the hold of the England Test captain for the next season.
Fans on social media are hailing the move of Chennai Super Kings as a ‘master stroke’ by Dhoni as CSK has not just got a great replacement for former Caribbean all-rounder Dwayne Bravo but has also found a potential skipper in Stokes.
Suresh Raina Made A Big Statement On Ben Stokes
Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer and CSK champ — Suresh Raina was also asked about the same. Speaking for News18 Cricketnext in an exclusive conversation during the mini-auction, Raina feels Dhoni will groom Ben Stokes. Raina also said that the Chennai crowd is going to love Stokes. He said:
“Both Ben Stokes and Ajinkya Rahane have shared the dressing room with Dhoni bhai for the Pune franchise. It’s a very-very good pick. Also, Mumbai Indians getting Sam Curran and Cameron Green; if someone can replace Kieron Pollard in the MI camp, it has to be Green. And when this Mumbai Indians team will play at their home ground, it’s going to be fireworks all around,”
He added: “Surely, MS will groom Stokes. He is a world champion and did really very well in the T20 World Cup for the team. He also led his team to a Test series win in Pakistan. So, he is in a good frame of mind. Also, his cricketing brain will be very useful for the youngsters at the Chennai camp. The Chennai crowd is going to love him. I just hope he enjoys and does a lot of ‘Whistle Podu’ for CSK.”
EXCLUSIVE!
Has MS Dhoni chosen his successor in Ben Stokes?
We asked this question to Suresh Raina. Hear what the Chinna Thala has to say about this👀#IPL2023Auction #CSK #BenStokes pic.twitter.com/ot4DjhNFbB
— News18 CricketNext (@cricketnext) December 23, 2022
