As long as MS Dhoni wants to play for CSK, the doors are open: CEO Kasi Viswanathan

As long as MS Dhoni wants to play for CSK, the doors are open: CEO Kasi Viswanathan. (Source – BCCI/IPL)

There is no denying the enduring legacy of the Chennai Super Kings when it comes to bossing the Indian Premier League for most of the seasons they have participated in. After all, they have been the joint-most successful franchise with a total of five title triumphs ahead of the 18th edition of the cash-rich league. However, not many have an idea behind the entire concept of the franchise, the acquision of some of their most important players, their strategic foresight, and so on.

In a recent discussion which is doing the rounds, former CSK star, Ambati Rayudu, touched upon a few interesting topics during an in-person conversation with the CEO of the franchise, Kasi Viswanathan. On being asked as to how Viswanathan had managed to maintain the very foundation of the franchise ahead of the mega auction of IPL 2025.

“As always, you (Rayudu) know better than me about the culture at CSK in the sense that we have always tried to have the core of the team. Initially, we had conversations with both Ruturaj the captain and also MS along with Fleming before we decided on the retentions. And, we were very clear that the players would help the team to grow, (those) who had stabilized the team in the previous years. It was very easy to decide on the retentions. Ruturaj, Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) who has had a great impact on CSK, and MS you don’t have to talk about, and Shivam Dube which we had groomed and MS had groomed,” shared Viswanathan as a part of a discussion on Provoke TV.

“So, we thought we should stick with them. As all of us know, Pathirana is going to be a bowler who is going to be really useful for any team he goes (to), so we thought he’ll be another one whom we can retain,” he added.   

Rayudu further re-directed a question in relation to the maestro of the franchise, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, which was mainly with respect to his future at CSK. 

“As far as Mahi bhai (brother) is concerned, you know he keeps everything to himself. It comes out at the last moment only. Knowing the passion he has for CSK, and also knowing the following he has, and he also mentioned in one of the interviews that he’ll play his last game in Chennai, we’re hoping that he will continue as far as CSK is concerned. As long as MS wants to play, the doors are open. Knowing him, his commitment, and his dedication, I’m sure he’ll always take the right decision,” added Viswanathan.

We felt Dhoni will be better bet than others: Viswanathan

Rayudu interrogated about the potential of a women’s franchise of CSK being introduced into the Women’s Premier League in the near-future.

“Maybe when the BCCI decides to expand the women’s competition, maybe we can look at it. Last time, we could not, at that point of time, go in for the women’s IPL because we had already committed to South Africa (Joburg Super Kings in the SA20), so we thought we’ll wait,” noted Viswanathan.

Finally, Viswanathan spoke on the juncture which the think tank looked towards Dhoni as their prime target, and also shared that the management instantly knew that their pick was worth it after collaborating with the legend for some years.

“See, when the IPL was floated in 2008, initially, Mr. Srinivasan (N. Srinivasan – owner of CSK and Managing Director of India Cements Limited), the other senior management team in India Cements were not great followers of T20, they were great followers of Test cricket. After deciding that he would bid for a team, the position was like, you know, every other team wanted an icon player.

Also Read: IPL 2025: 5 Released CSK players who could trigger a bidding war between RCB and MI at auction

Mumbai (MI) had Sachin (Sachin Tendulkar), Bangalore (RCB) had Rahul (Rahul Dravid), VVS (VVS Laxman) for Hyderabad (DC), Yuvraj (Yuvraj with Punjab), Sourav (Sourav Ganguly) with Kolkata (KKR). Having seen MS earlier, we felt that he will be a better bet than any of the other players. In fact, Mr. Srinivasan was also of the opinion that we should go for MS Dhoni. After taking MS and working with him, we knew we had taken the right decision of having MS on board,” he observed.