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[Saba Sports News] Can an event be both improbable and inevitable at once? This paradox unfolded as MS Dhoni walked out to bat at Wankhede Stadium on April 14 amidst a thunderous noise, a familiar soundtrack in India’s cricket arenas over the past two years.
With just four balls remaining in CSK’s innings, Dhoni, the seasoned cricketer, merely nudged the ball, a typical and expected move. Yet, as he adjusted his gear and prepared to face Hardik Pandya, the anticipation of something more dramatic was palpable—this scene has played out similarly in many of his previous 16 years in the league.
Mumbai, though experiencing its own conflicts and changes this summer, couldn’t help but be drawn to the comforting familiarity of hosting cricket legends Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma over three days in mid-April. The city’s cheers for these icons were a mix of celebration and nostalgic longing, even as online communities clashed with insults and memes.
The IPL, now nearing adulthood at 17 years, still features Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit at the forefront of its most popular franchises. These players represent the last echoes of an era soon to pass. Dhoni, approaching 43, may soon retire, while Kohli and Rohit, 37 and 35 respectively, are facing the twilight of their careers. Their recent clash, though no longer as franchise leaders, felt like a final act, recalling the IPL’s inaugural season 16 years ago.
Parallel to cricket, Bollywood also saw its icons—Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, and Salman Khan—recently unite, evoking a similar blend of nostalgia and admiration at an Ambani pre-wedding party. Both industries are witnessing a shift with new stars rising and traditional narratives being challenged, whether through the emergence of regional cinema, OTT platforms, or the evolution of cricket’s T20 format.
This season, IPL’s reliance on its stalwarts like Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit continues to draw significant viewership, echoing Bollywood’s dependency on star power. The high ticket prices for matches featuring these players underscore their unmatched appeal, which transcends typical fan loyalties and underscores their foundational role in the league’s narrative and economic success.
As the IPL progresses, the question remains whether new talents can ascend to the heights of these cricketing giants, or if the league will move towards a more distributed model of stardom. This shift could represent a broader democratization of attention in the sport, contrasting sharply with past eras dominated by a few colossal figures.