Gambhir labels CSK's retention strategy as 'Dhoni Speciality', compares it with RCB

While it was expected that Chennai Super Kings would ensure a complete squ revamp for IPL 2021 after flop show in previous seasons, franchise surprised fans with its decision to retain most of its squ. On deline day of submitting player's retention list, CSK anunced that it h released only six players including Shane Watson, who has retired. Reflecting upon franchise's strategy, former Kolkata skipper Gautam Gambhir stated that skipper MS Dhoni builds squ for only one particular season.

Speaking on Star Sports' Cricket Connected, Gambhir said, "This is MS Dhoni’s speciality. I have always said that MS Dhoni does t think too far ahe. He only thinks about building team for a particular season, and that is difference between CSK and RCB. People are saying that CSK h a very b season and need an overall revamp, but despite that, y have left only five players. On or hand, RCB have left ten players even after qualifying for playoffs." 

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Elaborating on plan to retain core, Gambhir remarked that CSK has often given 'security' to its players by backing m despite poor performances. “CSK’s success story in IPL is a balanced mind which kws how important it is to give security to players, t only to those players who are in your playing XI but also all players who are sitting in dressing room,” he said. 

Chennai rope in Uthappa

Despite having a dismal season in 2020, franchise has retained most of its players including Ambati Rayu, Karn Sharma, Imran Tahir, Dwayne Bravo and Deepak Chahar. squ will be led by MS Dhoni as in previous editions of IPL so far. 

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franchise has also retained young Ruturaj Gaikw, who me an impact in last leg of tournament in 2020, with some brilliant innings as he opened batting for team. Ace all-rounder Ravindra Jeja and Sam Curran along with Mitchel Santner have also been retained by franchise. On or hand, Kedar Jhav, Piyush Chawla and Murali Vijay have been released in a bid to increase franchise's purse amount for mini-auction. 

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Just a day after franchises' submitted ir players' retention list to BCCI, MS Dhoni-led Chennai anunced ir first acquiring of tring window which has been opened up until February 4. Chennai acquired services of veteran wicket-keeper batsman Robin Uthappa from Rajasthan in an all-cash deal, franchise anunced on late Thursday night. move comes despite team's criticism of housing several senior players, a factor which contributed to its dismal performance in IPL 2020. 

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