CSK fans have literally adopted me, couldn't think of not coming back: MS Dhoni

Chennai: The 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will see Mahendra Singh Dhoni return to his old home after former franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) decided to retain the former India batsman during the IPL player retention event recently.

However, Dhoni made a shocking revelation on Friday stating that he was on the radar of many IPL teams ahead of the IPL 2018 Player Retention event in January. But the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman stated that he could not imagine himself leading another team after CSK’s comeback.

"A lot of people approached me, I can tell you that. But, you know, I can't think (of) not coming back to CSK," the 36-year-old said at an event in Chennai.

Dhoni, who is referred to as ‘Thala’ by the loyal CSK fans also spoke about his love for the Chepauk faithful. Having been confirmed as the CSK’s captain for the upcoming edition, Dhoni lauded the CSK team management for sticking through a rough phase of two years after they were slapped with a spot-fixing ban.

"And as I said, it is because of everything - what we been through, how we have conducted ourselves, how the management has been, how the players have been, how the fans have been. I always keep saying, you know, it is like a second home to me. The fans have over here have literally adopted me, they accept me as their own. There can't be a bigger compliment than that. This is a special place and that thought of being with any other franchise was never a question. So that was a very easy answer for me," he added.

Apart from Dhoni, the two-time IPL winners have also retained Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja.

Dhoni was roped in by Sanjiv Goenka-owned Rising Pune Supergiant during CSK’s ban in the 2016 IPL auctions. Steve Smith’s side finished as runners-up during the 2017 edition, which was won by Mumbai Indians.