XtraTime Web Desk: The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) will be interesting for the fans to watch for two main reasons. The first obvious reason will be to see the tournament being played in empty stadiums in UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic and secondly to follow MS Dhoni, the quintessential leader of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), post his retirement from international cricket on August 15 this year. With Dhoni deciding to hang his boots from international arena, the IPL is the only platform where millions of his fans can watch him in action.
Forever the face of Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni led the franchise to three IPL titles (2010, 2011 & 2018) making it the second most successful franchise in the cash rich league after Mumbai Indians. Very few cricketers have shared the bonding like MS had with the Chennai based franchise. Someone who can come very close is the current Indian captain Virat Kohli as he also has remained loyal to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Regarded as a batting powerhouse, MS Dhoni possessed an ability to destroy any bowling attacks on his day. The calmness and composure in his demeanor along with a sharp cricketing brain accounts for a lethal combination on the cricketing field that paved the way for Chennai Super Kings success. The cricketer from Jharkhand, since being brought by the Chennai franchise for 6 crore in the auction in 2008 (highest bid back then) has established himself as an inspirational leader who guided the franchise to two back to back IPL titles in 2010 & 2011 and finishing runner-up on four occasions. The year 2015 was a black mark in CSK’s history as the team was hit by the spot-fixing saga. Dhoni went on to lead the side to the final among the ruckus, before the franchise was slapped with a two-year ban. He returned back to the franchise after spending a couple of seasons with Rising Pune Supergiant. It was a fairytale season for CSK as they surprised everyone to win the title for a third time. The 2019 edition of the league too saw the CSK reach the finals of the tournament under MS Dhoni’s leadership. So far in his IPL career for the Super Kings, Dhoni has scored 4432 runs from 190 matches at an average of 42.20 and a strike rate of an astonishing 137.85.
With Dhoni bringing an end to his 16-year illustrious career for Team India, he will be seen donning the Yellow colours of CSK in the upcoming 13th edition of IPL in UAE. It has truly been a yellove story between MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings.