IPL 2022: CSK signs MS Dhoni for three more seasons, KL Rahul can lead Lucknow, list of retained players

Shivam Bangwal November 25, 2021

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Ranchi | Ahead of the mega auction in January 2022, defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings have decided to retain their talismanic captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the next three seasons of the T20 league. Apart from Dhoni, the franchise has retained all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, who were instrumental in CSK winning the 2021 IPL title. As per BCCI rules, each team is allowed to retain a maximum of four players and four-time champions are in talks with England all-rounder Moeen Ali to come on board. A report in the Indian Express said that Moeen Ali could be a useful player on the slow and turning track at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai, however, if he does not agree to stay, CSK may call on another England cricketer Sam Curran. Will retain as his fourth player. ( csk sing ms dhoni )

To the Super Fans!#WhistlePodu #yellove @CMOTamilnadu @msdhoni @TheIndiaCements pic.twitter.com/fHRF6FnI8m

— Chennai Super Kings – Mask P😷du Whistle P🥳du! (@ChennaiIPL) November 20, 2021

Also read: KL Rahul breaks ties with Punjab, will lead team Lucknow

MS Dhoni’s last T20 match in Ranchi..

Earlier, Dhoni himself had confirmed that his last T20 match will be in Chennai. Dhoni had recently said at a CSK event that I have always planned my cricket. My last ODI in India was in Ranchi. Hopefully my last T20 will be in Chennai. Whether it’s next year or in five years’ time, I don’t know. Notably, the franchises will have to submit their list of retained players by November 30 and there will be a mega auction after which two new teams will join the league from the 2022 season. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals have decided to retain wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, all-rounder Axar Patel, Prithvi Shaw and pacer Enrique Nortje. As per reports, Shreyas Iyer wanted to lead DC, but the franchise wanted to pursue Pant as their leader, so the right-handed batsman decided to move on.

KL Rahul breaks ties with Punjab Kings

It is also learned that Mumbai Indians will retain Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Ishan Kishan and they are also in talks with West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard. The five-time champion also doesn’t want to let go of Suryakumar Yadav and is planning to buy him from the auction pool. IPL 2022 will be of ten teams and two new team owners Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group and CVC Capital have approached some of the top Indian players. India opener KL Rahul has snapped ties with Punjab Kings and is likely to lead the new team in Lucknow. Meanwhile, Kolkata Knight Riders are also likely to retain their two all-rounders Sunil Narine and Andre Russell and mystery spinner Varun Chakraborty. However, they are still deciding whether to take Shubman Gill or Venkatesh Iyer.