The IPL 2022 will see some major changes, Chennai Super Kings might also have a thing or two to look ahead of the new campaign. Particularly, the retention of their marquee player, Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the upcoming auction.
Chennai Super Kings are one of the richest franchises in the Indian Premier League but have reported poor financial reports. Moreover, the Covid-19 pandemic has also played a big role in hampering the franchise’s financial growth. CSK have reported their profit after tax(PAT) of Rs. 40.26 crore for 2020-21, which is 20 per cent less than the PAT of Rs 50.33 crore which they churned in the previous year.
Speaking of sponsorships, CSK has reportedly partnered up with TVS Eurogrip Tyres in a three-year agreement, which has been denied by the company. The deal is said to be in the range of 90 crore, which will see Eurogrip feature as front-of-shirt sponsors. One of the reasons CSK is struggling to find sponsors is because of the uncertainty around their captain MS Dhoni’s future at the franchise.
Recently, the former Indian captain revealed in an interview that he will be donning the yellow jersey in IPL 2022 as well. The four-time IPL champions have also confirmed that they will secure their captain’s place in the team using the retention in the mega auction.
“There will be retention and that is a fact. The number of retention isn’t something we are aware of yet. But honestly, that is secondary in Ms’s case because the first card will be used for him. The ship needs its captain and rest assured he will be back next year,” said a CSK official.
“Dhoni is part and parcel of CSK, Chennai and Tamil Nadu. There is no CSK without Dhoni and there is no Dhoni without CSK,” Srinivasan told reporters during a brief interaction after visiting Lord Venkatachalapathy temple in Chennai with the IPL trophy.
The brands will aim to ink an association with CSK following the availability and retention of the legendary cricketer for IPL 2022. Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020 but quitting the international format hasn’t affected his brand value. The wicket-keeper batsman has received a plethora of deals, the list includes HomeLane, Neuberg Diagnostics, Unacademy, Kauvery Group and Copter7. Dhoni’s participation in the upcoming edition of IPL, which got bigger with the inclusion of two new teams, will surely attract deals for CSK.
Indeed, MSD is the captain of the ship, the 40-year-old cricketer proved his supremacy in captaincy by clinching yet another title for the Chennai-based franchise.
With 10 teams competing in the next season, this will lead to an increase in the number of games with more advertisement and sponsorship opportunities. Though the CSK were in a sticky situation with their financial growth, it is set to change with the new season, which is expected to have more revenue generation with the Covid-19 situation gradually easing out. Winning the IPL 2021 will further help them get going on their path to revival monetarily.
As long as CSK has their “Thaliva” with them there are going to be more fruitful opportunities coming the franchise’s way. However, CSK needs to make sure they retain MSD in the upcoming auction for the IPL 2022 if they are to stay afloat as one of the richest IPL franchises.