MS Dhoni took it and disappeared: CSK owner recalls gifting ex-India captain a motorbike

There is no denying that legendary cricketer MS Dhoni is the beating heart of four-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK). If not the greatest, Dhoni is one of the finest leaders in the history of Indian cricket. The two-time World Cup-winning captain has remained the face of the CSK franchise since the inception of the cash-rich league.

One of the highest-paid cricketers in world cricket, Dhoni took a paycut to help CSK strengthen their squad for the 15th season of the cash-rich league. The Ranchi stalwart had attracted the biggest bid at the auction for the 2008 season of the world's richest T20 league. Dhoni, whose love for bikes is well-documented, had once received a motorbike from the Chennai-based franchise.

Speaking to Sportstar about Dhoni's love for bikes, CSK owner N. Srinivasan recalled a lesser-known incident involving the Chennai captain. Dhoni had once disappeared on his motorbike when he was handed the mean machine following his arrival in the city. "We gave him [Dhoni] a motorbike because he likes motorbikes. He took it and disappeared. He rode all around the town. One of the reasons that he grew on Chennai and Chennai grew on him is the fact that whenever there was a match, you would suddenly turn around and see Dhoni on a bike next to you," Srinivasan said.

"He has travelled the length and breadth of this city on his motorbike, which in its own way, endeared him to the people of this city," he added. Dhoni was signed by Dhoni for a whopping sum of $ 1.5 million at the IPL 2008 auction. CSK clinched four IPL titles under Dhoni's leadership. The 40-year-old will lead CSK in the 16th edition of the cash-rich league. Dhoni is the most capped player in the history of the IPL.