Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, speaking at a promotional event in Chennai on Friday, said the franchise would be aiming to get Ravichandran Ashwin back in the fold in the upcoming IPL players' auction.
Ashwin is back in the auction pool after CSK retained Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja.
The players' auction is scheduled to take place on January 27 and 28 in Bengaluru.
As I have said it is always a tough call. With Ashwin, you know we had done the same thing in the past. We will definitely go for him (Ashwin) in the auction. Ashwin being a local lad, we want a lot of local players to be part of CSKMahendra Singh Dhoni, Captain, Chennai Super Kings
“We have two right-to-match options but having already retained three capped Indians, don't think we can use it. We will have to buy him out in the auction,” Dhoni added. “Ashwin will come first in the auction for us.”
He also stressed on the adaptability factor at the auction and said they would have to keep the emotions in check while picking the squad.
“We have made three retention. One keeper, two batsmen. Two batsmen that can bowl. As of now it is very difficult to say whom we will get. That is the adaptability factor that we need at the auction table,” he said.
He also thanked the fans for their support and praised the franchise's management for backing the team.
Our biggest strength has always been the fans. Wherever we have gone, CSK has got support. Even when we did not play in the IPL in the last two years, the fan base increased. There is a lot of excitement among fans about the fact that CSK is backMahendra Singh Dhoni, Captain, Chennai Super Kings
Dhoni said the focus at CSK was always on cricket and making sure the players did well in the opportunities they got.
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