One of the most popular franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is none other than Chennai Super Kings. CSK have been the second most successful franchise in the league’s history with a total of four championship trophies. If there is one man that personifies CSK it is none other than their captain and Indian cricketing icon Mahendra SIngh Dhoni.
In a video shared by Chennai Super Kings in 2019, it was seen that around 20,000 fans were flocking to see their favourite superstars at a practice session at the M Chidambaram Stadium popularly known as Chepauk. When MS Dhoni came out to bat, the crowd roared the loudest and the noise was deafening. On their return to the Chepauk after three yeas, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming described what a special moment this was.
“The noise is a part of it. You associate that with the game. It was actually a practice day that really struck home to me when we came back in and MS came out to bat and it was something like 20,000 people for our homecoming. Just the excitement and that noise for a training, was something I haven’t experienced before. It was really unique and I know a lot of players and a lot of people who took note of that,” the former New Zealand opener said.
The hairs on the back of your neck stood up, It was unexpected. It was great to try and have the players training in that type of environment. It was real introduction back to our home ground,” Fleming added.
Chennai Super Kings did not have a great season at the IPL 2022, where they finished 9th in the table. In the IPL 2023 mini-auction they strengthened their side, with the addition of star England all-rounder Ben Stokes for Rs 16.25 croe, making him the third most expensive player ever in the auction.
