IPL 2021: CSK should release MS Dhoni ahead of mega auction, says Aakash Chopra

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has insisted that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) should not retain skipper MS Dhoni if there is a mega auction ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Chopra has said that the INR 15 crore that Dhoni earns could be utilised to rebuild the team from scratch.

Moreover, CSK could also use the Right To Match (RTM) option during the auction and perhaps acquire Dhoni for a lesser price.

"I think CSK should release MS Dhoni going into the mega auction, if there is a mega auction then you will be with that player for three years. But will Dhoni stay with you for three years? I am not saying don't keep Dhoni, he will play the next IPL, but if you keep him as a retained player but you will have to pay Rs 15 crore." Chopra said in a video posted on his Facebook page.

Chopra has also said that CSK should think beyond the 2021 campaign, which many speculate could be the former India captain's final season in the IPL.

"If Dhoni does not stay with you for three years and he plays just the 2021 season, you will get the Rs 15 crore back for the 2022 edition, but how will you find a player worth that Rs 15 crore? That's the advantage of a mega auction, you can create a big team if you have the money. If you release Dhoni for the mega auction, you can pick him with the right to match card and you can pick the right players by having the desired money in your kitty. You can pick Dhoni in the auction, from CSK point of view, if they release Dhoni and then pick him up in auction, it would be beneficial for them," he added.

The three-time champions CSK failed to make it to the playoffs for the first time at the recently ended 13th edition of IPL. Dhoni in IPL 2020 managed just 200 runs at 25, striking at just 116.27.