Image Source: AP
[Saba Sports News] In the seventeenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), each game for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) feels like a home match, largely due to the immense popularity of MS Dhoni. Ajinkya Rahane, a seasoned CSK batter, highlights the ‘Dhoni effect,’ which turns every stadium into a virtual home ground for the team because of the iconic captain’s widespread fanbase.
Rahane, who has been with CSK since 2023 and scored 119 runs in five matches this season, appreciates the unique atmosphere Dhoni creates. “Traveling everywhere, it feels like a home match just because of Mahi Bhai (MS Dhoni). It’s a wonderful feeling. Playing with him, you learn a lot as a cricketer and a person,” Rahane expressed in a CSK interview.
He also shared how Dhoni’s straightforward and supportive approach has influenced his career since his T20 debut in 2011. Dhoni advised him to play his natural game and express himself, a principle that Rahane has carried with him. “He keeps it very simple and backs every individual,” Rahane noted, emphasizing Dhoni’s impact on his approach to cricket.
Currently, the five-time champions have secured three wins in five matches and hold the fourth spot on the points table. Their next game is against the Mumbai Indians on April 14 at the Wankhede Stadium.