MS Dhoni has been an inspirational figure for CSK since the time IPL started in 2008. It would not be wrong to say that the two are synonymous. Under MS Dhoni, CSK has been the most consistent side in the history of the IPL. Not for thing is he called the favourite son of Chennai. Under him, CSK won a record-equalling fifth IPL in 2023. He relinquished his captaincy ahead of the 2024 season and now Ruturaj Gaikwad is leading the side. MS Dhoni still gets the loudest cheer whenever his face appears on the TV screen.
He is an inspirational figure for the CSK players too. The same was visible during CSK’s IPL 2024 match against Gujarat Titans on Tuesday as Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana touched MS Dhoni’s feet before starting bowling. he was playing this season’s first match. Dhoni then blessed him.
Pathirana Taking Blessings from MS Dhoni Before Bowling is So Wholesome!! pic.twitter.com/xPVFkOrsf4
— DIPTI MSDIAN (@Diptiranjan_7) March 27, 2024
There was another youngster who praised Dhoni. Chennai Super Kings batter Sameer Rizvi credited Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his small but quick and impactful knock in his first IPL match, saying the talismanic former India skipper advised him to play his natural game when he went out to bat against Gujarat Giants.
Against GT here on Tuesday night, Rizvi played a cameo of six-ball 14-run knock, which included two sixes against Rashid Khan.
“Bhaiya (Dhoni) told me to play how I generally play since it is all about the actual gameplay. He said, ‘There is nothing different. Skills remain the same, and it’s all just about mindset. Never take any pressure or be nervous, and play as per the situation’,” he said in a video on IPLT20.com.
Rizvi recalled the moment he was picked up by the franchise during the auction ahead of the season for a whopping Rs 8.4 crore, as he felt that his dream of meeting Dhoni will eventually come true.
“When I was picked up during the auction by CSK, my greatest happiness was my dream to meet Bhaiya (MS Dhoni) would be fulfilled. We also had net sessions together and got to learn a lot from him and the (support) staff. I intend to learn more and perform to the fullest.” Having played cricket for Uttar Pradesh, he has decent T20 numbers, scoring 309 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 137.33, including two half-centuries.
Speaking about his jersey number, the 20-year-old Meerut batter said, “My jersey number is seven, which is currently worn by Bhaiya and I can’t get it. So, I liked the number 1, and I took it.” Rizvi also talked about the positive atmosphere in the CSK dressing room.
“Everyone loves each other in the team and backs everyone. The thought process of hitting the six in my first ball came out of my heart, and the team members also cheered for me with all their hearts,” he said.
With PTI inputs
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