Watch: MS Dhoni clatters trademark down-the-ground six in practice game, draws wild cheer from Chennai crowd
Watch: MS Dhoni hit an enormous straight six in a Chennai Super Kings practice match, bringing the Chepauk crowd to their feet.
Fifteen years ago, ahead of the first season of the IPL, six of the eight franchises were assigned local superstars as icon players (VVS Laxman later opted out). All six became the first captains for their respective franchises.
Rajasthan Royals, one of the other two, appointed the legendary Shane Warne as captain and coach. Chennai went for Dhoni, a man who had led India to title glory at the inaugural World Twenty20 but barely three years into his international career.
It had been a bold move, but it paid off. Dhoni led Chennai to title glory in 2010 and 2011, then, at the other end of a two-year ban on the franchise, in 2018 and 2021.
Tamil Nadu has had their share of famous cricketers, from S Venkataraghavan to Kris Srikkanth to 21st-century stars like M Vijay, Dinesh Karthik, and R Ashwin. Yet, no one has been able to match Dhoni’s stature.
Chennai is renowned for its adulation for movie industry. During the IPL season – and either side of it – the city’s frenzy for their Thala matches that for its most popular film stars.
It was, thus, expected that a packed Chepauk greeted the Chennai franchise for its practice match ahead of their tournament opener, on March 31. The crowd erupted when Dhoni walked out to bat.
Nayagan meendum varaar… 💛🥳#WhistlePodu #Anbuden 🦁 pic.twitter.com/3wQb1Zxppe
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 27, 2023
A straight six followed not too long afterwards, sending the crowd into ruptures. Michael Hussey, the batting coach of the franchise, stood as square-leg umpire at that point. Even he could not help but applaud.
Watch MS Dhoni hit a six and the Chepauk crowd react:
Hussey's reaction at the end sums up the 🎥💛#ThalaDharisanam #WhistlePodu 🦁 pic.twitter.com/PcpsCceGiH
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 28, 2023
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