In the previous edition of the cash-rich league, the Chennai-based franchise ended up at the bottom of the points table, with just four victories in 14 matches. MS Dhoni managed to score 196 runs in 13 innings with an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 135.17

The pressure had been mounting on the BCCI over Rahman’s participation after the recent killing of a Hindu man in the country. The criticism has also extended to KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan with some BJP politicians questioning the call