No CSK without Dhoni, no Dhoni without CSK, says N Srinivasan

CHENNAI: India Cements Limited (ICL) Vice-Chairman and Managing Director N Srinivasan on Monday said that without MS Dhoni, there is no Chennai Super Kings. Similarly, the former BCCI chief said that there is no MS Dhoni without Chennai Super Kings, his emphatic statement saying a lot about the relationship between the franchise and the iconic cricketer.

Under Dhoni’s leadership, CSK recently won their fourth IPL title and made an incredible comeback from their oblivion last year. “Dhoni is part and parcel of CSK, Chennai and Tamil Nadu. There is no CSK without Dhoni and there is no Dhoni without CSK,” Srinivasan told reporters during a brief interaction after visiting Lord Venkatachalapathy temple here with the IPL trophy.

ICL owned the CSK franchise from 2008 to 2014, when the ownership was transferred to Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited. Dhoni-led CSK won the IPL title for the fourth time after defeating Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday.

Asked about retaining Dhoni and other CSK players in the next IPL auction, he said the retention policy is yet to be announced. To a query on criticism that none of the Tamil Nadu cricketers were included in the CSK team, he said that 13 players from TNPL are either playing in the IPL or representing India.

‘CSK will take a decision on MS Dhoni’s retention after knowing the rules’

“Many people are watching the TNPL match and it will go from strength to strength.” Asked about CSK’s victory celebrations, Srinivasan said Dhoni would come to Chennai after doing duty as the Indian team’s mentor in the T20 World Cup and “share the trophy” with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and MA Chidambaram. At a function to be held at the stadium. Srinivasan, who is a member of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board, received the trophy after a ritual at the Lord Venkateswara Temple.

TNCA President Roopa Gurunath, who is also a Director in India Cements Limited and KS Viswanathan, CEO, Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited were also present.