Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) cricketer S Badrinath revealed the franchise wanted to go for Virender Sehwag over MS Dhoni in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL). CSK had Sehwag as the first preference for them, but he was already bought by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) as an icon player.
Later, the franchise went for Dhoni over his recent record in which he had led India to T20 World Cup triumph in 2007. Dhoni was bought by CSK for USD 1.5 million in the auction, making him the most expensive player in the first season.
ALSO READ: IPL 2020: “MS Dhoni is going to rule the roost in IPL 13,” says Aakash Chopra
“IPL started in 2008, and if you see who was the first option for Chennai Super Kings, it was Virender Sehwag. The management had decided on picking Sehwag for sure, but Sehwag himself said that he was brought up in Delhi, so he would have a better connection,” Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.
“The management agreed for him to play in Delhi, thinking it would be better. Then came the auctions, and they saw who was the better player, and before that India won the 2007 World T20. And only then did they decide to sign Dhoni.”
Dhoni turned out to be a huge buy for Super Kings and he has led the franchise to play-offs in all the seasons they have played in. CSK has also won 3 IPL and 2 Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20) titles under his captaincy.
“In 2008, MS Dhoni was the most expensive player, they bought him for 1.5 million dollars. Many probably don’t know this story but Dhoni was picked instead of Sehwag. According to me, MS Dhoni coming to CSK was killing three birds with one stone. One, he is one of the best captains the world has ever seen. There is no trophy that he doesn’t have,” he explained.
“Second, the best finisher. A finisher is a very important part of all the best T20 teams around the world. Even if you see all the good teams today, Mumbai Indians have Pollard, Kolkata Knight Riders have Andre Russell, CSK has MS Dhoni. And third, he is an excellent wicketkeeper. One of the best and safest keepers I have ever seen.”
