MS Dhoni was spotted arriving in Chennai, weeks ahead of the Indian Premier League mega auction. The Chennai Super Kings captain checked into a hotel in the South Indian city on Thursday, January 27.

Dhoni is expected to join the Chennai Super Kings’ preparation for the mega auction, scheduled to be held on February 12 and 13. Dhoni has always played an integral role in the team’s auction business and CSK are known for doing well at the auction table despite some surprising picks in the past.

CSK have retained four players, including their captain Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Moeen Ali.

The goes , every single time! #ThalaDharisanam #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/IihZJsuDVQ

— Chennai Super Kings – Mask Pdu Whistle Pdu! (@ChennaiIPL) January 27, 2022

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.

CSK will have Rs 58 crore as they head into the mega auction, looking to pick a well-balanced squad in the lead up to their title defense in the IPL.

MS Dhoni had ended speculation about his future in the IPL when he said at an event in Chennai that he would want to continue playing for CSK and that his farewell match would be in Chennai. It remains to be seen if the decorated captain continues with the franchise beyond IPL2022.

Dhoni had spoken in the last season about IPL auction dynamics at length and how CSK would like to build a core that would serve them well for at least the next 5-10 years.

“Well it’s not about me playing for CSK, it’s about what is best for CSK. The core group, we have to have a hard look to see who can contribute for the next 10 years,” he had said.