Why RCB Missed Out on MS Dhoni in the IPL 2008 Mega Auction?

May 04, 2025 Komal Das

RCB and CSK clash for the final time in IPL 2025 on May 3 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Their rivalry has been a key highlight of IPL history since 2008

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Virat Kohli has been with RCB since the league's inception, picked in the pre-auction draft. MS Dhoni joined CSK in the IPL 2008 mega-auction

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Dhoni chose not to join any team as an icon player before the auction, allowing franchises like RCB and MI to bid for him

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RCB underbid for Dhoni during the 2008 auction. Auctioneer Richard Madley later revealed this decision was regretted by the franchise

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Mumbai Indians also wanted Dhoni but had a limited purse due to signing Sachin Tendulkar as their icon player, leaving CSK to secure Dhoni

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Under Dhoni’s captaincy, CSK became one of the most successful IPL teams, winning five titles and cementing their legacy

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Dhoni stepped down from full-time captaincy before IPL 2024 but returned in 2025 to lead due to Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury

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This season, Dhoni is managing a knee injury, limiting his play. Despite this, his leadership continues to drive CSK’s performance

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