IPL 2021 Auction: MS Dhoni, Stephen Fleming to Not Attend The Auction in Chennai

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be without the services of their captain MS Dhoni and head coach Stephen Fleming during the IPL 2021 auction on February 18 in Chennai. The CSK captain is not a regular face at the auctions but he was expected, especially after bidding adieu to the international cricket.

Fleming, a regular to IPL auctions, will also remain absent due to protocols and restrictions. Fleming lives in New Zealand and would have been asked to serve a mandatory quarantine period upon arriving in India.

Fleming’s absence will be a big blow for the three-time IPL champions as the former New Zealand skipper regularly attended the auction since taking charge of the team in 2009. CSK CEO Kashi Vishwanath confirmed the news of Dhoni and Fleming’s absence from the IPL auction.

“They (Fleming and Dhoni) are not coming to Chennai for IPL Auctions but in today’s time, there are so many mediums to stay connected. They will be with us digitally,” the CSK CEO told InsideSport.

MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming mostly decides the team combination and have a big responsibility on their shoulders to carry CSK forward in the next IPLs as CSK finished at the 7th spot in IPL 2020. It was for the first time when they could not qualify for the second round-the playoffs.

RCB Director of Cricket Mike Hesson to Attend IPL 2021 Auction, Ricky Ponting Skips Event

Meanwhile, other IPL franchises are preparing for the auction in their own way. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Director of Cricket Mike Hesson will attend the IPL 2021 auction. He arrived in India earlier this month and has completed his quarantine period. However, Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting has decided to skip the event.

A Delhi Capitals official speaking to InsideSport confirmed both Ricky Ponting and skipper Shreyas Iyer will not be present in Chennai. Assistant coaches Mohammed Kaif and Pravin Amre will take Iyer and Ponting’s spots at the IPL 2021 auction table.

“Ricky (Ponting) and Shreyas Iyer will not be going to Chennai. Instead, Kaif and Amre will be part of team management. Besides them, the Chairman, owners and analysts will be travelling to Chennai.”