HomeIPL 2023Why April 12, 2023 is an unforgettable date for...

Why April 12, 2023 is an unforgettable date for MS Dhoni in the IPL? 

- Advertisement -

Ever asked yourself as to what comes to the mind the moment you say ‘IPL’, the three simple alphabets clubbed together in the great game of Cricket?

To some, it may bring the thought of fiercely struck boundaries. Many would think of towering sixes, such as Faf’s 115 meter hit the other evening at the Chinnaswamy. Others may think of the great promise of the RCB and the subsequent disappointments they’ve clung to. 

- Advertisement -

You’d also think of the likes of Gayle with his 175 and the six hitting machine he is. To some, the IPL would be about Russell’s power and to many others, it would always be about heroes like Sanju, Rashid, Arshdeep or Narine. 

But regardless of what the IPL means to different age groups and varying perspectives, it may always remind us of a personality that’s as implicit to the series as is winning in Cricket. 

The man who wears the jersey number 7 and sports it in the bright yellows; the constantly unwavering enigma that is Mahendra Singh Dhoni. 

Truth be told, for all that he is and has done in these years, Dhoni, much like Kohli, is the most exemplary ambassador of the Indian Premier League. 

He’s the name that still fills stadia around India. The name that becomes the chant and ultimately, the chant that reverberates everywhere the Chennai Super Kings play. 

And April 12, 2023, truth be told, has become a date symbolic to the IPL career of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Perhaps for as long as the IPL lasts, it won’t bd forgotten. 

Today, as he plays what’s his 238th game for the Chennai Super Kings, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is also appearing in his 200th game as the famous multiple crown winning team’s captain. 

But let’s be frank and attempt to understand the story behind what some cynical minds may even call the “so what” date. 

At a time where given the sheer competence and exemplary levels of fitness required, many might consider it a feat to play over 50 games for a franchise and even a legendary achievement to touch 100 games, that MS Dhoni is appearing in his 200th as captain is just phenomenal. 

If anything, it’s a testament to his consistency and sheer longevity as a player and leader. 

But beyond the banality of statistics, there are achievements and proven records that further brighten Dhoni’s star on the CSK trophy. 

Unarguably the most successful captain that CSK ever had and perhaps the best that’ll ever lead the side, it was under MS Dhoni’s leadership that the team lifted the trophy on 4 separate occasions. 

They won a title each in the- 2010, 2011, 2018 and 2021 seasons. 

As a matter of fact, Dhoni was touching 40 when he guided his side to another brilliant title triumph the last time around, circa 2021, which gives us an idea about his sheer fitness and willingness to compete at an age where many opt to wax lyrical behind the mic. 

Over the years, he made hitting giant sixes and often right out of nothing a familiar habit. 

Combining an ever thinking brain and lightening fast reflexes, Dhoni jumped, dived, stumped and went airborne for a team that he’s pretty much done it all. 

But rather importantly, as the IPL grew in popularity and considered other rising stars as its new lights- think of Rinku Singh, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Cameron Green, Suryakumar Yadav, Anrich Nortje and Kyle Mayers- Dhoni’s sheer consistency ensured that CSK would often form part of discussions and remain an eternal fan favourite. 

The ability to finish games on his own by clubbing massive blows into the stands in crunch situations has quenched the thirst of fans who couldn’t figure it out as to how they’d deal with Dhoni’s retirement from India duties. 

Which is why year after year post-2019, there was enough thrill about the IPL since if not in Indian jersey, one would still get to see Dhoni in Chennai’s colours. 

And while many would want that to never change, as luck would have it, Dhoni’s announced already that the ongoing season might well be his last. 

By that thought one can only imagine if not entirely picture what exasperating sight it might be when it’ll come to his last ever appearance for Chennai as a player and captain. 

But until then, let’s savour the one of a kind talent that’s amid us, one that’ll hopefully leave quite an impression in his 200th appearance as the CSK captain. 

What can Chennai and MSD do tonight in the hopefully belter of a game versus Rajasthan? 

- Advertisement -
Dev Tyagi
Dev Tyagi
Dravid believer, admirer of - the square drive, Drew Barrymore, Germany, Finland, Electric Mobility, simplicity and the power of the written word! Absolutely admire contributing to KyroSports

15 Highly Educated Cricketers Of All Time

Cricket is a game of passion and dedication. A sport in which one involves themselves in camps and practice since early childhood. Due to...

Why are more and more MotoGP riders using the Noson nasal dilator?

Introduction MotoGP riders or athletes are physically fit and healthy individuals and their muscles are continuously functioning and used during the performance. As a fan...

Do we often under-appreciate Andy Flower? What’s his legacy?

There's a hint of sadness in noting that Zimbabwe has never been a dominant power in world cricket. But nothing could be sadder than...

How Come UFC Fighters Have Cauliflower Ears But Boxers Don’t?

The UFC has come a long way since its early days, wherein the fights seemed like modern-day gladiators due to its brutality and inconsistent...

5 spinners who can be India’s potential finger-spinners

The Indian cricket team has always been proud of its ability to produce world-class batsmen and similarly potent spinners. Though in recent times, the...

IPL 2018: The beautiful Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur

Being seated in the Sawai Mansingh stadium brings a different world, a world of difference away from the palpable excitement of watching truly India’s...

Top 5 Left Wingers In The World, Based On 2019-20 Season

Owing to the fact that football has evolved a lot since its inception and the tactics have changed a lot, the role of wingers...

The astonishing decline of Mario Balotelli

There was a time when Mario Balotelli was on top of the world.  The Italian talisman had scored two goals in the Euro 2012 semi-finals,...

What can be expected from the 2018 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Heat in the air and heat inside the car- that's been the story of the Azerbaijan Grand prix. As F1 parks itself at Baku...

How Suresh Raina Batted India Into The Finals of 2011 World Cup

Its been 9 years, since India won the Cricket World Cup defeating Sri Lanka on 2 April, 2011. The images and visuals of...

Age Fraud in Indian Cricket: Are players really to be blamed?

There have been times while watching a cricket match when we tend to hear commentators comment on cricketers’ age. We as fans have many...

Ajax XI if they didn’t sell their star players

Based in Amsterdam, AFC Ajax, who incidentally draw their name from the legendary Greek hero of the same name, are the most successful club...

IPL 2018: The best from the West Indies

When one of nature's treacherous attacks on mankind- earthquakes- strike, their impact is measured on Richter's scale. When West Indians strike in a tournament...

Big change for India Women’s cricket as BCCI looks to finalise bowling coach soon

We are not even at the halfway stage of the 2018 cricketing season. It clearly seems there's no stopping India's women's cricket team. The...

5 famous players to play for both Leeds United and Liverpool

Leeds United are back in the Premier League after 16 years and will play Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday in their very first match...

- Advertisement -

- Advertisement -