The roar from the crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium reached a deafening 125 decibels as Mahendra Singh Dhoni strode out to the crease in the final overs of Chennai Super Kings’ run chase against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday. The sight of the iconic CSK captain was enough to send the passionate Chepauk faithful into a frenzy, leaving Kolkata all-rounder Andre Russell with no choice but to cover his ears to shield himself from the thunderous ovation.

Andre Russell closing his ears due to the cheers from crowd when MS Dhoni in the batting at Chepauk._

– THE CRAZE & AURA OF DHONI IS UNREAL, THE BRAND…!!!!__ pic.twitter.com/jf8RIr5fTr
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) April 8, 2024

CSK, chasing a modest target of 138, were cruising at 141/3 with 14 balls to spare when Dhoni arrived, the game all but settled. But for the Chennai crowd, who worship their beloved “Thala”, the mere presence of their talismanic leader was worth celebrating like a match-winning six.

Earlier, it was another CSK star, Ravindra Jadeja, who laid the platform for the convincing seven-wicket victory. The left-arm spinner was the architect of Kolkata’s undoing, returning brilliant figures of 3/18 to restrict the visitors to a below-par 137/9.

Jadeja struck crucial blows in the middle overs, removing the dangerous Sunil Narine and Angkrish Raghuvanshi to derail Kolkata’s innings. The defending champions then overhauled the target with consummate ease, led by an unbeaten 67 off 58 balls from opener Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Gaikwad laid the foundation with a 70-run stand for the second wicket with Daryl Mitchell (25) before impact substitute Shivam Dube’s blistering 28 off just 18 deliveries sealed the deal for Chennai.

While the result may have been expected given CSK’s pedigree at home, the real highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Dhoni’s grand entrance. As the former India captain made his way to the crease, the noise levels peaked, drowning out the commentary and audio feed.

Seasoned campaigner Russell, no stranger to raucous crowds himself, was taken aback by the sheer intensity of the Chepauk crowd’s adulation for Dhoni. The West Indian all-rounder was seen comically covering his ears, a testament to the unparalleled popularity of the Chennai icon.

“I easily think this man is the most loved cricketer in the world,” Russell later wrote on social media, capturing the sentiment perfectly.

Indeed, Dhoni’s legacy transcends the boundaries of the sport. For the CSK faithful, he is more than just a cricket star – he is an emotion, a symbol of pride, and the very heartbeat of the franchise. And when he walks out to bat, the fans make sure the entire stadium reverberates with their unadulterated love and admiration.

As Dhoni strode out to the middle, the game was all but over. But the Chennai crowd refused to let the moment pass without savoring every bit of it. Their thunderous ovation echoed through the stadium, drowning out the commentators and leaving the opposition in awe.

In the end, CSK cruised to victory, but the real winner on the night was the unbreakable bond between Dhoni and his adoring Chepauk faithful. It was a testament to the enduring legacy of one of cricket’s greatest icons, a moment that will be etched in the memories of all those fortunate enough to witness it live.