IPL 2018: Not retained by KKR, Gautam Gambhir to join MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings?

Mumbai: While Chennai Super Kings (CSK) sprang no surprises and retained MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) decided to let go Gautam Gambhir as all the eight Indian Premier League (IPL) sides announced the names of retained cricketers in Mumbai on Thursday.

Read: IPL 2018 player retention: Did KKR not retain Gautam Gambhir due to money-matters?

However, a major coup of sorts might be around the corner which might see Gambhir, who led KKR to two IPL triumphs, join forces with Dhoni at CSK, who are making a comeback to the tournament after being suspended for two years following the spot-fixing saga.

While there is no official statement from CSK and Gambhir too has not indicated anything about the Dhoni reunion, CSK chose to react on the Gambhir issue when a Twitter user tagged CSK, saying that Gambhir might be picked by the Chennai-based IPL side during the auction, which will take place on January 27 and 28 in Bengaluru.

A Twitter user @Anti_ESTD wrote, "I Hv a strong feeling @GautamGambhir wil b picked by @ChennaiIPL in this auction. #IPLRetention."

CSK chose to respond in emoticons:

Earlier, there was speculation that his age could be a factor why KKR may not retain him. However, it is now learnt that the Shah Rukh Khan-co-owned KKR decided not to retain Gambhir to save some money.

KKR, instead, spent Rs. 21 crores and retained the West Indian duo of Sunil Narine and Andre Russell for Rs. 12.5 crore and Rs. 8.5 crore each respectively. KKR, will now have, Rs. 59 crores at their disposal during the auction.