CSK retained Moeen Ali for Rs 8 crore, after the English all-rounder played a key role in helping MS Dhoni's men win their 4th IPL trophy in the UAE recently.
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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan stated that all-rounder Moeen Ali was happy to sign up for the defending champions for IPL 2022 at any cost. Viswanathan added that the English cricketer indicated a desire to not even think about playing for any other franchise amid retention talks. The Chennai-based franchise retained Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali and Ruturaj Gaikwad in that order. Jadeja was retained for Rs 16 crore, while Dhoni took home Rs 12 crore. Ali was retained for Rs 8 crore while Gaikwad bagged Rs 6 crore.
“When we spoke to Moeen first, he said he has been overwhelmed with the offer which was made and he said he has not thought of any other franchise at all. That was his reaction immediately and he said ‘whether I am one, two, three or four (retention number), I don’t mind, I will be there’. So was the case with Rutu (Ruturaj),” Kasi Viswanathan told CSK’s official website.
“We always had a feeling that he will be a very useful all-rounder for us especially when we play in India. We were able to get him only last year. So it is good that he came in and was able to perform under the captaincy of MS (Dhoni),” he added.
Viswanathan also discussed MS Dhoni’s role at CSK, stating that he will continue to play an integral role.
“As all of you know, Thala has been the mainstay of CSK. He has been a captain who has delivered for the franchise and he has got the best out of the team any time he has played. As far as we are concerned, Thala plays a major role because he controls the team and the team has benefited by his experience, and nobody can doubt his skill as a captain,” he said.
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Robin Uthappa believes that skipper MS Dhoni would have personally taken the decision to be retained as the 2nd pick ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 auction. Uthappa said Dhoni understands the value of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja who was retained for Rs 16 crore, having been the top pick in Tuesday’s retention process.
“I am sure that is MS Dhoni’s doing itself. He knows the value that Jadeja has to the unit. I think from what I understand, Jadeja might be someone who could end up leading the squad in the future as well when MS Dhoni retires. They have given him the due he deserved,” Uthappa said in an interaction with Star Sports.
Parthiv Patel stated that Jadeja might be considered as the next CSK captain by the franchise.
“He is the guy whom they are investing in to be the next captain. Has been terrific as a player. He has done well in Test cricket, we have seen him batting at No. 6 in ODI cricket as well. So I would like to see him take that responsibility. So I think Ravindra Jadeja will take over as captain once MS Dhoni decides not to play,” he said.
