MS Dhoni is one of the better readers of the game and adds value to any side he plays for, both on and off the pitch. Such is the legacy of the 2011 World Cup-winning captain that even modern-day greats like Virat Kohli look up to him.
With four Indian Premier League (IPL) titles and two trophies in the now-defunct Champions League Twenty20 under his captaincy, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has established itself as one of the most consistent franchises in the lucrative tournament. Incidentally, when CSK bought his services in the inaugural IPL auction in 2008, he became the first-ever highest-paid player at INR. 6,00,00,000
Dhoni, 41, has been the longest-serving franchise member since the inaugural edition. He has appeared in every season for CSK, except for the two seasons (2016 and 2017) the team was suspended from the league. Based on his on-field performance and leadership skills, his value increased manifolds for the franchise in these years.
The four-time IPL-winning captain earned INR. 6,00,00,000 in IPL 2008 to 2010. However, his retention fee increased by INR. 2,28,00,000 to INR. 8,28,00,000 for the next three seasons between 2011 to 2013.
Following that season, his salary for the IPL 2014 and 2015 hiked to INR. 125,000,000. It was an increase of INR. 42,200,000 per season for the talismanic captain. In the next two seasons — 2016 and 2017 — Dhoni fetched the same fee of INR. 125,000,000 per season from Rising Pune Super Giants.
CSK returned to IPL in 2018, where his per-season fee increased to INR. 150,000,000. Dhoni guided the franchise to their third title that season and fetched the same fee per season till IPL 2021. However, his per-season fee has slipped to INR in the last two seasons. 120,000,000. It is because the CSK captain is in the twilight zone of his IPL career, and the ongoing season could be his last.
In IPL 2023, Dhoni is earning INR. 8,571,428 per match, equivalent to the value of each six in the lucrative tournament. The veteran has relied on his brute force and experience to accumulate 61 runs in the ongoing season, through quick-fire cameos, at a staggering strike rate of 196.77.
The total income earned by Dhoni in IPL in the 16 editions is a whooping INR. 1,76,8400,000.
