Chennai Super Kings looking to retain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in preparation for IPL return

Indian Premier League (IPL) sides Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals are all set to make a grand re-entry to the cash-rich league next season as their two-year ban gets over. [caption id=“attachment_2347558” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Chennai Super Kings players. BCCI[/caption] The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the two franchises’ return official on Friday, reported the Scroll. The news would have given the CSK and RR fans a lot to cheer about. According to George John, one of the directors of Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, the management is already considering to bring Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had led them with distinction, on board. “We have to see what the BCCI has to offer. If there is an option of retaining of a player, it would be him (Dhoni),” John was quoted as saying. BCCI’s acting president, CK Khanna and IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla have also welcomed the two teams back into the league. “It is my privilege to welcome back our franchisees, Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, into the 11th edition of the IPL. We have had a strong working relationship with Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals and hope that we can continue to build upon the close ties that we have enjoyed in the past, as we move towards the next edition of the league,” Shukla said.

CSK have been one of the most consistent teams in IPL history, winning the competition in 2010 and 2011 and ending up runners-up in 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2015. On the two other occasions that they have played the IPL, they have managed at least the last-four finish. They have also won the Champions League T20 twice (2010 and 2014).

Rajasthan Royals had a fairytale first season in the IPL in 2008, winning the inaugural edition, when none expected them too. They had reached the playoff stage in 2013 and 2015.

However,  the two teams were banned by the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee after the 2015 edition for their involvement in betting and spot-fixing.