The 2021 edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) was completed in two phases after the first half was suspended, with COVID-19 breaching the bio-bubble of multiple franchises. While the first phase was played in India, the second half was held in UAE.
However, BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Saturday (November 20) confirmed that the IPL 2022 will be played in India.
Shah also expects the tournament to be more exciting next year with the addition of two news franchises – Ahmedabad and Lucknow.
"I know you are all eagerly waiting to watch Chennai Super Kings play at Chepauk. The moment is not very far, the 15th season of the IPL will take place in India and it will be more exciting with new teams joining. We have a mega auction coming up to see what the new combination looks like," said Jay Shah during an event in Chennai.
Talking about Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) success, Shah said: "A lot of credit for CSK's success over the years has to go to N Srinivasan as he has stood by his team in the difficult times. I must add that Kasi Viswanathan is like a glue that binds the team together. Season by season he has navigated the team."
"How can one take CSK lightly when you have a captain like MS Dhoni. Dhoni is the heartbeat and backbone of CSK. Mahi is the most successful captain India has ever produced. The bond he has made and the legacy he has created will stay for ages," he added.
Last month, MS Dhoni led CSK to the IPL 2021 triumph in UAE. It was Chennai’s fourth IPL title win under Dhoni’s captaincy.
While the 40-year-old was silent over his participation in the next year's edition of the tournament, he pointed out that he still has not left behind his legacy.
"Again I've said it before, it depends on BCCI. With two new teams coming in, we have to decide what is good for CSK. It's not about me being there in top-three or four. It's about making a strong core to ensure the franchise doesn't suffer. The core group, we have to have a hard look to see who can contribute for the next 10 years," Dhoni had said in the post-match presentation after CSK’s IPL 2021 win.
When Harsha Bhogle said: "You can be proud of the legacy you have left behind", Dhoni responded saying: "Still I haven't left behind."
(With ANI inputs)
