Last Updated on 16 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
A senior official of Chennai Super Kings has denied past reports regarding MS Dhoni’s interest in buying an ownership stake in the franchise. As per a Cricbuzz report, there were reports of Dhoni wanting to buy a stake in the franchise but the management was not in favour of the terms that were allegedly proposed by the former captain.
“There was no such discussion with Dhoni,” said the CSK official.
“MS has never come to us about it. We never talked about it. We also have no information about him talking to Mr N Srinivasan about this either.”
Dhoni has not made any attempt to buy a bigger stake in the franchise but is believed to already own shares in CSK. According to a report from Chennai’s camp, the ex-captain bought some shares when they were on offer. CSK is an unlisted company, and its shares are not traded on the open market. Shares can be transferred through private off-market transactions.
RELATED: Is MS Dhoni set to acquire ownership stakes in CSK?
MS Dhoni reportedly owns one lakh shares in the CSK franchise
Dhoni is believed to own more than one lakh shares in the franchise. But this is still a modest slice in comparison to the public holding. The public holds over 30 crore outstanding shares, which is nearly 40 per cent of CSK’s total share capital.
The Srinivasan family still holds a controlling stake of over 55 percent in the franchise. Given the current valuation of IPL franchises, Dhoni’s current stake could be worth anything between Rs 2.6 crore and Rs 3 crore.
However, this amount is relatively modest compared to what Dhoni has earned through his long career in international cricket, the IPL, and commercial endorsements. The former India captain is considered one of the richest cricketers in the world with an estimated net worth pegged at around Rs 1,200 crore.
Dhoni to select next CSK coach
Dhoni continues to play an important part in the franchise even after giving up captaincy and missing all of last season. The CSK management is now waiting for his return, and his participation are in discussions on the team’s next steps, most importantly the appointment of a new head coach.
Dhoni is currently believed to be in the United States and is expected to make a return around September 22. The CSK management will likely convene a meeting around that time to finalise the coaching appointment before shifting its attention to transfers and trades ahead of the next IPL season.
CSK officials have said no coach has been finalised as yet. However, sources said the franchise has zeroed in on an overseas candidate who is also reportedly in talks with another IPL franchise. Once Dhoni comes back and meets the senior members of the CSK management, a clearer picture is likely to emerge.
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