Video| MS Dhoni gets loud roar from Chepauk crowd as IPL returns to Chennai

It has been exactly 1095 days since Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most celebrated IPL teams, played an IPL game at the Chepauk. They last played a game in Chennai on May 10, 2015. Hence, it has been one of the longest waits for the people of Chennai. 

When Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is claimed as Chennai’s boy, as much as his hometown Ranchi’s, came to the city for the opening of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), the stands of the Chepauk were jam-packed. It was just to watch their Thala (which means the King or the Head).

MS Dhoni joined the pre-season camp in the last week of March and, almost every day, there were fans lining up to watch their team (CSK) practice. In fact, for a couple of days, when there were practice games, a strong 15,000-crowd was at the Chepauk to watch the CSK players warm up for the biggest T20 league. MS Dhoni was also emotional during a promotional event which was held a few days before the IPL started. 

And when CSK began their campaign against Mumbai Indians on Saturday (April 7), it seemed like they were the home team even though they were playing at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. And after Dwayne Bravo’s heroics took CSK to an unbelievable and a thrilling win, CSK was officially back at doing what they do the best, winning games from unlikely positions. 

With the team returning to Chennai for their next encounter, the build-up was massive. And when the day finally arrived, not even protests from pro-Tamil groups stopped the fans from painting the Chepauk and the city of Chennai with a sea of yellow. And when Dhoni stepped out for his usual pre-game warm-ups, a big cheer from the crowd, which was still filling up, greeted the former Indian captain. 

The roar became louder when the fans’ Thala aka MS Dhoni walked out for the toss. The people of Chennai finally got to see their King and his team at the Chepauk not practising or warming up but playing an IPL game after 1095 long days. Welcome back CSK!

Dhoni_roar from jagraj Singh on Vimeo.