Chepauk Crowd Roars As MS Dhoni Walks Out To Bat Ahead Of IPL 2023 Opener, Video Goes Viral

IPL 2023: Dhoni will walk out for the toss along with Hardik Pandya at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in the tournament opener on March 31.

Dhoni played his last competitive T20 match on May 20, 2022.

Source : Twitter/@ChennaiIPL

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is a massive name not only in India but in world cricket history. The wicketkeeper-batter has inspired an entire generation of cricket stars by the way he went about his game and his leadership skills. Even though he announced his retirment from international cricket in 2020, there hasn't been any dip in his popularity. An evidence of the same is the video which has been shared by Dhoni's IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

Notably, CSK had announced on Monday that C, D and E stands of the MA Chidambaram or the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai will be open for all fans to watch the team practice. Knowing that the doors will be open for them, hundreds and thousands of CSK supporters gathered to watch their stars practice. But when 'Thala' Dhoni came out to bat, it was maddening scenes at the stadium where the entire crowd roaring and cheering at the top of their voice.

Check out the video here:

Nayagan meendum varaar… 💛🥳#WhistlePodu #Anbuden 🦁 pic.twitter.com/3wQb1Zxppe

— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) March 27, 2023

IPL 2023 is all set to kick off on March 31 with CSK set to take on defending champions Gujarat Titans in their opening match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Chennai did not have a great season last time around as they finished ninth on the ten-team table with just four wins from 14 matches. This year though with the tournament set to return to its traditional home and away format, Dhoni-led CSK will try and put up an improved show. 

There have also been reports speculating Dhoni's retirement at the end of this season. This is because of his own admission in the past of wanting to bow out in front of the home crowd in Chennai. However, there has not been any official confirmation from either him or the four-time IPL-winning franchise.

Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see the kind of touch Dhoni is in, having played his last T20 game on May 20, 2022 which was CSK's final league game against Rajasthan Royals last edition.