The atmosphere at a Chennai Super Kings (CSK) match is always electric, regardless of where they play. MS Dhoni’s incredible fan following has turned every venue into a sea of yellow, with fans donning the CSK colors and chanting his name. This unwavering support for the team makes it feel like a home game for CSK, even when they are playing away.
During a recent match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and CSK, Pat Cummins, the captain of SRH, experienced this phenomenon firsthand. As he looked around the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, expecting to see orange-clad seats filled with the Orange Army supporters, he was greeted by a wave of yellow instead. The crowd was eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of their beloved superstar, possibly in his final IPL season.
When MS Dhoni stepped out to bat, the stadium exploded with cheers and chants of ‘Dhoni-Dhoni’. Cummins, who was amazed by the deafening reception Dhoni received, described it as the loudest he had ever heard. Despite the overwhelming support for CSK, SRH managed to secure a victory, making it two wins out of two at home.
In the match, Shivam Dube was the standout performer for CSK, scoring a quick 45 runs on a challenging Hyderabad track. However, SRH managed to restrict the visitors to a modest total with a change in bowling tactics. Cummins explained that they adapted their strategy by using off-cutters, which proved to be effective in slowing down the run-rate and taking crucial wickets.
As SRH continues to excel in the IPL, it is crucial for the home crowd to show their support by turning up in larger numbers wearing the team jersey. Cummins, with a smile on his face, humbly requested the fans to come out and support the team wholeheartedly.
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