CSK: Suresh Raina Explains How MSD React to his IPL 2008 Contract

Suresh Raina in his autobiography book allocated a column on “How MS Dhoni Reacted to his IPL 2008 Contract with CSK”. The much-awaited Suresh Raina autobiography ‘Believe – What Life and Cricket Taught Me’ is set to available from July 19, 2021.

Raina praises Dhoni in his Autobiography 

In this section, he explained the reaction he received from his “brother from another mother” MS Dhoni on his IPL 2008 contract.

With most icon players already bought by franchises, CSK put in an early bid for Dhoni – the person they were looking at to lead the side. Dhoni, who was already the captain of the Indian limited-overs team in 2008, was bought by the Super Kings for $1.5 million at the 2008 players’ auction.

Soon after he was bought in early, CSK was looking at forming a core featuring Indian stars. And that is where Suresh Raina was considered. With a base Base price of $125,000, Raina’s stocks skyrocketed to a price of $650,000 by the end of the inaugural auction.

By then, Raina had become friends with Dhoni and had spent a good two seasons with him. This benefitted the CSK as they went on to win three IPL titles and are to date considered one of the most consistent sides in the cash-rich league.

In a book titled ‘Believe’, Raina reveals what Dhoni told him after he was bought by CSK.

Like always, Dhoni kept it short and simple, he said merely three words ‘Maza aayega dekh.’

Excerpt from the book: The IPL auctions happened, and like every other cricketer in the country, I was waiting eagerly to know which team I would be playing for. I was elated to go to the Chennai Super Kings. It meant Mahi Bhai and I would be playing for the same team. I heard from him almost immediately after I was bought in the auction. He said, ‘Maza aayega dekh.’ There was a lot of attention on him, of course. And looking at some of the other figures whom Chennai had bought Matthew Hayden, Muttiah Muralitharan and Stephen Fleming I was just delighted to be in the same team as them. The IPL strengthened my bond with Mahi Bhai even further.

Click here to purchase Suresh Raina’s autobiography ‘Believe – What Life and Cricket Taught Me’ book.