‘I will miss Mahi Bhai but RR….’, another ex-teammate of MS Dhoni says THIS after getting picked by Rajasthan Royals

New Delhi: Tushar Deshpande, the former Chennai Super Kings pacer, shared Deepak Chahar’s emotional sentiments, expressing he would miss MS Dhoni as he joins Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2025. Deshpande remembered how MSD supported him in all phases of his time during the tenure with five time tittle winning team.

Deshpande, a domestic cricketer for Mumbai, represented Chennai Super Kings in the IPL from 2022 to 2024. Rajasthan Royals secured him for ₹6.5 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction, outbidding Chennai, who had raised their offer to ₹6.25 crore. Over the course of 31 matches from 2022 to 2024, Deshpande claimed 39 wickets but had an economy rate of 9.39, which may have influenced Chennai’s decision to release him.

“I will miss Mahi bhai a lot. He stood by me during both the worst and best of times. Now that RR have shown great faith in me, I will give my 100 per cent in every game. I’m really excited to join the new team and play under Sanju Samson, and to learn from Rahul Dravid, who has done wonders for India,” Deshpande said in an interview with Mid-Day.

Deshpande has been sidelined for the past four months after undergoing ankle surgery in London. Currently, he is in rehabilitation at the NCA and is expected to return in the first half of next year.

Before joining Chennai, Deshpande played for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020, where he took just three wickets in five matches during his brief stint with the franchise.

His most recent appearance was in the fifth T20 I against Zimbabwe in Harare in July, where he bowled three overs, conceding 25 runs and dismissing Brandon Mavuta.

Pacers were highly sought after during the mega auction, with Deepak Chahar joining Mumbai Indians for Rs 9.25 crore, Akash Deep going to Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 8 crore, and Mukesh Kumar returning to Delhi Capitals for the same amount, among others.