Chennai has been my second home, says MS Dhoni

Chennai has been my second home, says MS Dhoni

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On his return to Chennai as a guest for the opening ceremony of the Tamil Nadu Premier League, MS Dhoni has stated that Chennai was his second home. The former CSK skipper also suggested that CSK's fan following had increased even after the team's suspension from the Indian Premier League (IPL).

MS Dhoni returned to MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday, the home ground of Chennai Super Kings who have been missing from the Indian Premier League following a two-year suspension that ended this year, on the occasion of the start of the second edition of Tamil Nadu Premier League. The former CSK skipper stated that he was back to his second home in India.

"I don't think it can get any better. The crowd has been fantastic. They have given unconditional love and affection... I always say Chennai is my second home. I think the yellow is pretty special and I think we have done well in the yellow. I would definitely like to congratulate CSK for their return and next year you will be watching them play here. The long wait is over," Dhoni was quoted saying by TOI.

Dhoni had last played at the stadium also known as Chepauk in 2015 against South Africa. However, the 36-year old is expecting to make a return to the ground once again with CSK in the eleventh edition of the IPL.

"We were not here for two years, but our fan following has grown in the last two years. They have stayed with us and the love and affection was always there. It will get amplified when CSK return to play their first game over here," said Dhoni, who represented Rising Pune Supergiant in the last two IPL seasons.

Dhoni has always cherished the support and the love of the Chepauk crowd who were also a witness to his double hundred against Australia in the first Test in 2013.

"Not only as a franchise player but even when we have come here with the Indian team, the love and affection have been terrific over the years.

"The support has been fantastic even when we were going through a lean patch in a game and needed some outstanding performance from an individual, the support has always been there," he added.

The former Indian skipper took on Matthew Hayden in a six-hitting competition later and smashed all the three deliveries on offer back into the stands to the delight of the Chennai crowd. Dhoni revealed the secret to hitting the monstrous hits.

"I try to watch the ball and go against orthodox form of cricket which says hold it lightly. I try to hold it a bit firmly and I don't look to hit big sixes. What I look for is a good connection. I hit big sixes in practice but in the matches, it is more flat. I don't get lot of elevation," he said.

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