Written by: Sam Sajin Raj A. Loyola College 2nd year MA English Lit
Chennai Super Kings is one of the most successful franchise not only among the other cricket teams but also among the hearts and minds of the people. Starting from 2008 as the fourth largest team in Indian Premier League, Chennai Super Kings have created numerous milestones and become the largest franchise and a huge fanbase with enormous love and four IPL trophies. The love for CSK from various states of India brought all the people together and filled nearly all the stands with the ocean of yel’LOVE. All this emotional attachment is not only towards the franchise but also to the Greatest captain of all time ‘Mahendra Singh Dhoni’. The Man, the Leader, the Myth “Mahi’ is the inspiration for millions and still breaking hearts.
The Chennai and The Chennai Super Kings:
The love of Chennai people towards the team CSK has a history to remember. Starting from 2008 to 2023, the team built many strong records and it is still unbroken. CSK is the first team to get an IPL trophy by an Indian Captain. The people turned towards Mahi for his wonderful career with CSK and Chennai as their Home ground. When CSK claimed Chennai as their home ground and Dhoni as the Captain, the people moved more towards the team CSK. Giving four champion titles and more than nine successful placement in consecutive years created a never-ending bond between the people and CSK. The team’s theme song ‘Whistle Podu’ was composed by Aravindh-Shankar duo pulled a greater fanbase towards CSK. The cultural model of Tamilnadu, Dappanguthhu was used to compose this song and it got a huge response even from the Non-Tamilian fans of Chennai.
Chennai Players as ‘One Family’ in the People’s heart:
Chennai super kings have held many number of players from 2008 to 2023. Some players existed from the very beginning to till date. Many went playing few seasons some are still travelling even after their retirements. But some very iconic players are still living in the hearts of the people rent-free. Starting from the first Chennai squad with Matthew Hayden, Stephen Fleming, Muttiah Muralitharan and Michael Hussey to the recent Gaikwad, Pathirana, Jadeja, Dube and Rayudu people never missed out a single. The opening duo of Mike Hussey and Murali Vijay is believed to be the best openers of CSK. Also the top order of Thala and China Thala (Dhoni and Raina respectively) is the unbreakable top order till date. S Badhri Nath acts as the floater in the batting order.
The first sports academy after many struggles concludes with an ideal all-time 11 of CSK. The match goes with Michael Hussey and Murali Vijay as the openers and Suresh Raina at 3 and S Badhri Nath as a floater at 4 and there comes the Captain MSD at 5. After the top order, they filled the 6 and 7 with the greatest all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo respectively. Then the other four slots will be filled by Albie Morkel, R Ashwin, Doug Bollinger, Shadab Jakati.
CSK all-time best playing 11 (FirstSports)* – Mike Hussey, Murali Vijay, Suresh Raina, S Badrinath, MS Dhoni (C)(WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Albie Morkel, R Ashwin, Doug Bollinger, Shadab Jakati.
Dhoni, the idol of every cricket fan:
Dhoni is the one and only captain who has led Chennai for 15 years and led CSK to the finals nine times, of which the team has won four. As a Ranchi-born Indian, Dhoni never regretted addressing Chennai and Tamil Nadu as his second home. This emotional attachment of Dhoni towards the Tamil people brought all the people together as one ‘Yellow Army’. Leading CSK for more than 15 years, Dhoni has created many unbreakable records as a captain, wicketkeeper, batsman, and finisher. The helicopter shot of Dhoni has become an icon of admiration to date.
As an Indian cricket fan, from turning the TV off when Sachin gets out to waiting till the last ball that Dhoni will finish it off in style, ’we all grew up’.
Written by: Sam Sajin Raj A.