In advance of the mega auction, MS Dhoni arrives in Chennai

MS Dhoni was sighted in Chennai a few weeks before the Indian Premier League's blockbuster auction. On Thursday, January 27, the Chennai Super Kings captain checked into a hotel in the South Indian metropolis.

Dhoni is set to join the Chennai Super Kings as they prepare for the major auction on February 12 and 13. Despite some odd decisions in the past, Dhoni has always played a key role in the team's auction operations, and CSK are recognised for doing well at the auction table.

Captain MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Moeen Ali have all been retained by CSK.

Dhoni was paid Rs 12 crore, while Jadeja was paid Rs 16 crore. Ali was paid Rs 8 crore to stay on, while Gaikwad was paid Rs 6 crore.

CSK will enter the mega auction with a budget of Rs 58 crore, hoping to assemble a well-balanced squad ahead of their IPL title defence.

MS Dhoni put an end to speculation over his IPL future when he stated at an event in Chennai that he would like to continue playing for Chennai Super Kings and that his farewell match would be held in Chennai. It's unclear whether the illustrious captain will stay with the organisation following IPL2022.

In the previous season, Dhoni spoke extensively about IPL auction dynamics and how CSK would like to develop a core that would perform them well for at least the very next 5-10 years.

"It's not about whether or not I play for CSK; it's about what is best for CSK. We need to take a careful look at the core group to identify who can contribute over the next ten years "he had stated.