IPL Auction 2023: "MS Dhoni Was Very Happy When We Got Ben Stokes": CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath

Experts and fans questioned whether Ben Stokes had been chosen to succeed MS Dhoni as captain shortly after bringing in the England Test skipper.

Later, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath broke his silence on the captaincy problem and disclosed Dhoni’s response to Stokes joining the team.

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In the lead-up to the IPL 2023 mini-auction, the majority predicted an unbelievable sum and had England all-rounder Sam Curran back in the Chennai Super Kings lineup. Curran set a record-breaking price at the auction in Kochi on Friday, becoming the most expensive player ever, but CSK had been unable to sign him. Ben Stokes, though, was acquired by the four-time winners for a staggering INR 16.25 crore.

CSK engaged in a fierce bidding war with four other teams to get Stokes after failing to sign Curran and later West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder. The England star surpassed all previous IPL auction players to rank third in terms of price.

“Captaincy option is there but it’s a call MS Dhoni will take time”: Kasi Viswanath

CSK CEO finally opened on Dhoni’s response to rejoining Stokes for the 2nd in IPL and the franchise’s leadership position at the end of a frenzied bidding day in Kochi, where 80 players were sold for a combined price of INR 167 crore.

“Very excited to get Stokes and we were lucky also because he came up at the end. We wanted an allrounder and MS was very happy that we got Stokes. The captaincy option is there but it’s a call MS will take with time,” CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath said.

“Kyle Jamieson was injured so maybe many others didn’t look at him. We had information from Fleming that he had recovered and was raring to go. CSK looks bright and I hope we do well this season. We follow the process always and that will help us do well,” he was quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

MS Dhoni had already stepped down as captain before the start of the IPL 2022, appointing Ravindra Jadeja as the new captain. However, CSK was left at the bottom of the standings, with Jadeja also struggling under pressure. As a result, MS Dhoni was forced to assume the captaincy as well.

Also Read: IPL Auction 2023: Chris Jordan Goes Unsold

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