MS Dhoni (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)
NEW DELHI: The love MS Dhonireceives from fans is nothing short of extraordinary. Every time he walks out to bat, the stadium erupts in a frenzy — the decibel levels shoot up, echoing into the sky as chants of “Thala! Thala!” and “Dhoni! Dhoni!” fill the air.The atmosphere becomes electric, a celebration of the man who has become a symbol of calmness and charisma. Having ledChennai Super Kings to five IPL titles, Dhoni’s legacy is deeply etched in the heart of every CSK supporter.Since retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni has kept fans guessing about his IPL future. As CSK gear up for their final match of the season, speculation is rife — could this be the last time we see the legendary captain in yellow? Only Dhoni knows the answer.Dhoni spoke to Star Sports and discussed the feeling and the love he received from fans.“It’s a very good feeling and I always said it’s a big thank you from the fans side. That’s what I believe, like whatever last few years I will be playing, you know, it’s a way of, they are saying that thank you very much for whatever you have done. And it’s amazing, especially when you play a sport, what you want is the appreciation of the fans. And when it comes to cricket, India is the place to play,” Dhoni said on Star Sports.“Being part of the Indian cricket team is one of the biggest things. I’m not playing international cricket. So IPL is the next best thing that can happen. So, I don’t get goosebumps, but it’s a kind of feeling, you know, whenever you walk in, everybody is very excited. They’re waiting for you. They want you to do well. Even at times when you’re playing against the team that they want to win, know they still want you to perform, contribute a bit, whatever it may be.So yeah, it’s, it’s an amazing feeling,”, he said.
With CSK already out of playoff contention this season, the franchise has turned its focus to the future — testing young talent and exploring new combinations.
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It has been a campaign of mixed results, but for the fans, the sight of Dhoni donning the CSK jersey remains the ultimate high point. Whether this is the end or not, his presence continues to command unmatched reverence.
