Nakul Shivani/ New Delhi

MS Dhoni, the lucky talisman of Indian cricket and the Chennai Super Kings has been announced as the man who will lead CSK in the 2023 edition of the cash-rich Indian Premier League.

The announcement to this effect was made by franchise CEO, KS Viswanathan on CSK TV on Tuesday.

Coming straight from the heart of our Super CEO! And yes, Thalaivan Irukkindraan! 🦁

Watch Full 📹https://t.co/KbDYU1zTUX#WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/cNj38t4uCz

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 15, 2022

CSK will go into this edition at the back of a forgetful 2022 season in which the Chennai-based franchise finished ninth in the 10-team league with four wins and 10 defeats.

41-year-old Dhoni was reinstated as the captain midway in the last edition after Ravindra Jadeja relinquished his captaincy, leading CSK to six losses in eight games.

Many former CSK players raised their hand in support of the franchise’s decision. Among them was Harbhajan Singh. The former spinner said, “He is the best captain today also. If you make him stand as captain, you will not get that value from any other captain.”

Dhoni has led CSK to four IPL titles. The last success came in 2021 when they defeated KKR in the finals. He was also the captain when CSK won the Champions League titles in 2010 and 2014.

Dhoni was one of the four players retained by CSK ahead of the 2022 season for a whopping 12 crore rupees.

He holds the unique record of scoring half-centuries at five different batting positions. He has had nine 350+runs season so far.

CSK is one of the most consistent IPL teams. Apart from 4 titles, it has barring two occasions finished in the top-four.

It was banned for two years due to a spot-fixing scandal in 2016 and returned to win the title in 2018.

The franchise was purchased for 360 crore rupees in 2008.

The Super Kings have released Dwayne Bravo, Adam Milne, Chris Jordan, N Jagadeesan, C Hari Nishaanth, K Bhagat Varma, KM Asif, and Robin Uthappa, who has announced his retirement.

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IPL 2023 is tentatively scheduled to be held from March 25 to May 28.