N Srinivasan explains how CSK outbid MI to sign MS Dhoni in IPL 2008

When it comes to the four-time former champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the first thing that comes to mind is its legendary skipper MS Dhoni. He has been a part of the side since IPL 2008, having led the side in every 13 seasons it has played to date. However, what many might not know is how CSK managed to land him back in 2008. Dhoni was on the top back then, having led the side to the ICC T20 World Cup 2007 glory, making CSK hell-bent on having him. On the same note, India Cements Managing Director N Srinivasan, whose company owns CSK, has spoken about how CSK outbid Mumbai Indians (MI) to land Dhoni.

Speaking to Sportstar, Srinivasan said, "At the IPL auctions, I missed the first two picks. I had asked VB Chandrasekhar - former Test cricketer from Tamil Nadu and aggressive opening bat - to hold the baton. At any price, I wanted MS Dhoni. The reason I felt very confident was I felt the other people did not know arithmetic. They said they would give 10 per cent [15 per cent] more to the icon player because they all wanted an icon."

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"Punjab [Kings] wanted Yuvraj Singh, Delhi [Capitals] wanted Virender Sehwag, [Royal Challengers] Bangalore Rahul Dravid, Mumbai Sachin Tendulkar. They asked me, and I said no. My father taught me some arithmetic. I figured out if 1.5 million out of five went to the icon players, what are you left with to get the rest of the 22 players," added Srinivasan.

"Suddenly, Mumbai was bidding up to 1.5 million for Dhoni. Then they realised that they had to give the icon player 10 per cent [15 per cent] more than what they give the most expensive player. They said 3.5 million, everything went, and they collapsed. And that is how MS Dhoni came to Chennai," Srinivasan concluded.