Subhayan Chakraborty from Chennai
Walking around the MA Chidambaram Stadium on the eve of Qualifier 2 game of IPL 2024 between SunRisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, one would hardly guess that a crucial match was scheduled at this iconic venue. This stands in stark contrast to the IPL opener, where Bells Road in Triplicane was buzzing with fans eager to secure tickets. The reason? Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were playing, and their talismanic captain MS Dhoni was back in action. However, with CSK failing to qualify for the IPL 2024 playoffs, the atmosphere on Thursday was markedly subdued.
Despite one of the IPL finalists, Kolkata Knight Riders, and one of the teams in Qualifier 2, SunRisers Hyderabad, scheduled to practice at the stadium on Thursday evening, there was little buzz around the venue. Yet, the sentiments surrounding Dhoni and CSK remain evergreen in Chennai. A few questions posed to the locals reveal the depth of their passion.
Hussain, a worker at Dhoni Sports located opposite the stadium, expressed his disappointment over CSK’s absence in the playoffs. “Yes, it is disappointing how they lost to RCB in the last game. We all wanted CSK to be here, playing in front of the home fans. It wasn’t meant to be this time,” he said. “Today, it will be low-key as CSK is out, but you will see the stadium packed tomorrow and in the final.”
When asked about Dhoni’s future, Hussain’s emotions were palpable. “He hasn’t announced his retirement yet, right? He should play one more season at least and call it a day in front of the Chennai crowd. If he decides to retire, then he should come back as the head coach.”
However, with Stephen Fleming currently in charge, shouldn’t the role of a mentor be best suited to Dhoni in case he hangs his boots? “When it comes to Dhoni, local people will want him as the man in charge. I am sure many die-hard fans won’t tolerate Dhoni being under Fleming. Mentor is always under the head coach. Why should Dhoni be under someone else? People will start protesting if that happens. That is how passionate CSK fans are. If not the captain, he should be the head coach,” Hussain quipped.
The disappointment of the Yellow Army was evident when RCB’s Yash Dayal defended 17 runs in the final over against MS Dhoni, Shardul Thakur, and Ravindra Jadeja. Despite Dhoni hitting a 110-meter six on the first delivery, he was visibly upset after getting caught in the deep off the second ball. Dhoni didn’t even wait to shake hands with the RCB players, underscoring the bitterness of the defeat.
Dhoni battled with a muscle tear in his leg during the second phase of IPL 2024, forcing him to bat lower in the order due to hampered running ability. Despite this, he thrilled fans by scoring 161 runs in 73 balls at a staggering strike rate of 220 and an average of 53, hitting 13 sixes and 14 boundaries.
A short walk from Dhoni Sports leads to ‘Arya’s’, a snack shop where the sentiment for Dhoni’s fandom is echoed. “He is like a superhero here. You won’t see much crowd in the next two matches as Dhoni and CSK are not playing. I hope he comes back next season to play again. When he plays, the buzz here is on another level,” said Chandran, a worker there. “But the media should also write about Dinesh Karthik; he is our boy too, and he has announced his retirement. Ashwin is also coming here. I wish Ashwin’s team wins the IPL as he is a local boy.”
With temperatures hovering around 35 degrees and humidity levels above 65 percent, the upcoming matches are expected to be challenging. A spell of rain is forecasted for Sunday afternoon, the day of the final, but a reserve day is available for the summit clash.
As buses and autos bustle through the streets around the stadium, locals seek shade under trees, and questions about Dhoni’s retirement evoke contrasting opinions. “He is suffering from leg injuries for the last two seasons. He was seen limping and taking support from Suresh Raina after one of the games. I don’t think he should bear so much pain just to play. He can be there in the dugout in the coaching staff and contribute with his tactical inputs,” said one fan.
Another countered, “Don’t listen to my friend; he is not a CSK fan. The way Dhoni batted this season, I feel he still can play a couple more seasons. I hope CSK management convinces him to continue. He is the heartbeat of the IPL. I am disappointed that CSK didn’t qualify.”
While the mood among cricket fans outside Chepauk on Thursday afternoon was quiet and serene, fans would be expected to come out in full force for Qualifier 2 on Friday and the grand finale on Sunday.
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