The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 schedule is out. As the general elections will be held this year, the schedule for the first 21 matches has been announced so far. MS Dhoni‘s Chennai Super Kings, who are the defending champions, will take on a star-studded Royal Challenges Bangalore in the opener in Chennai on March 22 at 8 pm IST.
The most capped player in the history of the cash-riched league IPL, former Indian skipper MS Dhoni will once again marshal his troops in Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) bid to defend the title. The Yellow Brigade edged past 2022 champions Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final-ball thriller to lift the famous trophy for the record-equaling fifth time last season.
In the build-up to the new season, MS Dhoni was confirmed as the leader of the Chennai-based franchise for the umpteenth time. The five-time champions named Dhoni as their leader while announcing the retention list ahead of the mini-auction. Dhoni’s CSK parted ways with England all-rounder Ben Stokes and New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson ahead of the IPL 2024 auction last year.
MS Dhoni a nationwide rage during IPL 2023 playing for Chennai Super Kings
“CSK is Dhoni. Dhoni is CSK” Chennai Super Kings local boy now which hails from Ranchi. MS Dhoni is the only player to record 250 appearances in the cash-rich league. The 42-year-old has amassed 5082 runs with an average of 38.79. Thala Dhoni has smashed 24 half-centuries in his iconic IPL career. Under MS Dhoni’s talismanic captainship many youngsters got groomed from 2008 to 2023 who later went on to be part of Indian national team playing 11.
The advice to the youngsters of each team after the match from MS Dhoni is as value as of gold for upcoming talents who wait even if their teams wains or looses only to meet MS Dhoni. Year 2023 saw a nationwide rage with speculations around that finally it would be curtains for MS Dhoni the player in IPL as fans flocked to every venue in yellow to support MS Dhoni. This overwhelmed support from the fans all round compelled MS Dhoni to return back to play for season 2024 only for the fans as stated by him in the presentation of the finals of 2023 where CSK won the title equaling Mumbai Indians(MI) tally of 5 IPL titles.
All said and done MS Dhoni who was seeing limping all round throughout IPL season 2023, to go back and have a knee surgery to be more fitter for at-least one more season. Former teammate RP Singh remembers MS Dhoni speaking about the fan following in the nation and how it has an effect on a life of a sports person.
My passion for the game is because I want to play for the fans- RP Singh recalls what inspires MS Dhoni to play the game
Former India cricketer RP Singh recently shared insights into MS Dhoni’s motivation, highlighting the Chennai Super Kings captain strong desire to perform for the fans. Dhoni, who will be captaining the defending champions Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024, has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the game and its supporters throughout his illustrious career.
RP Singh shared a story from the early stages of Dhoni’s international career, shedding light on Dhoni’s determination and resilience to excel. RP Singh recounted that Dhoni had told him about his desire to make a mark among fans, emphasizing CSK’s captain’s wish for people to take notice of his performances and appreciate his unique style of play.
MS Dhoni the now 42-year -old debuted for India in 2004 and became the nation’s most successful captain with three ICC Titles and several other accomplishments. MS Dhoni led the Indian squad featuring RP Singh to the title in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Recalling the conversations with MS Dhoni on Jio Cinema’s show, RP Singh said :
“I remember this team meeting a long time ago in 2006-2007 when we spoke about what drives players to perform. At that time, MS said, ‘When I get off a bus, I feel like two people are looking at me. When will those two turn to four and when will the four turn to 40? My passion for the game is because I want to play for the fans. I want the fans to see that MS Dhoni hits shots like this,”
In an illustrious international career, Dhoni scored over 15,000 runs across formats in 538 games. The legendary cricketer also captained India in a record 332 matches with 178 wins from 2007 to 2018.
The fan following for MS Dhoni in 2023 IPL season was beyond imagination exclaims RP Singh
RP Singh expressed disbelief at the incredible crowd receptions for MS Dhoni during the last years IPL for almost all venues in India, especially Chennai.
With the possibility of the season being the last, fans flocked to the stadiums with unique posters and jerseys to cheer the CSK skipper. MS Dhoni responded in style leading Men in Yellow to a record equaling fifth title in IPL.
“Last year, the fan-following he witnessed was beyond my understanding. Maybe, that’s because it’s been built over the years. MS has performed incredibly for CSK since the beginning and has led them to multiple trophies. Last year, people thought that it might be his last year as an active player, and it might be their final chance to see him play live,”
“That may have caused a 25 to 30% increase in his fan following. The moment he wore his pads last year, our viewership increased,” said RP Singh.
MS Dhoni is the most successful IPL Captain with 133 wins in 226 games and became the only CSK player to play 200 matches last year. The Chennai Super Kings pipped the Gujarat Titans in the final last year in thrilling fashion. Needing ten runs of two balls, Ravindra Jadeja smashed Mohit Sharma for a six followed by a four to send the CSK fans into delirium. Joint-top with Mumbai Indians in terms of most IPL titles, CSK would love to defend their crown and become the first team to win the tournament six times.
MS Dhoni is the only Indian cricket team captain to win the T20 World Cup, the ODI World Cup and the Champions Trophy too. Under MS Dhoni, India became the world No. 1 Test side also. While MS Dhoni has retired from international cricket, he still competes in the IPL for Chennai Super Kings. He led his team to the title in the IPL 2023 and will aim to emulate the feat again this year when CSK locks horns with RCB in the opener on 22nd March 2024.