Hello there, readers of SlogVlog! Can you believe it? Three whole years have passed since the legendary player of the Chennai Super Kings bid farewell to the cricketing arena. Today, we’re dedicating a special post to honour the incredible journey of this CSK icon.
The journey of this CSK legend was not just about the trophies and records, though they have plenty of those. It was about the camaraderie with teammates, the countless smiles they brought to fans’ faces, and the inspiration they provided to generations of cricketers.
As we reflect on the three years since their retirement, let’s walk down memory lane. Everyone remembers Dhoni’s famous innings like the 70* VS RCB in 2018, but remember the unforgettable knocks that left us in awe? The moments when the crowd’s roars reached a crescendo as they stepped onto the field? Those memories remind us why cricket is more than just a sport; it’s a passion that connects us all.
So in Today’s post, we will see 5 of those unbelievable cameos. Those cameos which are really exciting to watch.
5. 12 VS LSG, Match 6 2023:
Now, we might not have seen a plethora of runs in this cameo, but what we did witness was pure cricketing magic. Dhoni, the maestro of last-ball finishes, matched the energy of the roaring crowd with his signature coolness.
Two sixes. That’s all it took for Dhoni to set the stadium on fire. The first one, oh boy, had a cheeky edge with just the right amount of power to sail over fielders’ heads, including a bewildered Aayush Badoni at Third Man. It’s like Dhoni had his secret recipe for hitting sixes, and he sprinkled it with just the right amount of spice.
But wait, it gets better. The second six – the sweetest sound a cricket fan can hear. Dhoni pulled off a stroke that had the bat making a symphony with the ball. The crack echoed across the stadium as the ball soared into the sky, only to land in the stands a whopping 89 meters away. Mark Wood’s face said it all – he was as astonished as the rest of us, wondering if Dhoni had just borrowed Thor’s hammer to hit that one!
4. 20 VS DC, Match 55 2023:
Imagine Dhoni stepping onto the stage with a mere 3.5 overs left in the game. It’s as if time bent to his will, allowing him to weave his magic in those fleeting moments. In those nine balls, he etched a smile on the faces of every CSK fan, from the die-hard veterans to the newest recruits.
Let’s talk about those sixes, shall we? The first one was an absolute showstopper. It was as if the cricketing gods themselves were applauding as the ball leapt off the middle of Dhoni’s bat, sailing flat and long into the night sky. The crowd erupted, the noise a testament to the man’s uncanny ability to turn an ordinary moment into an extraordinary memory.
But wait, the spectacle continued. A four was delicately placed above the backward point, teasing the fielders and showcasing Dhoni’s artistry. And just when you thought it couldn’t get better, he smashed a six straight above the bowler’s head and into the stands.
3. 32* VS RR, Match 17 2023:
CSK had been crawling along like a sloth on a leisurely stroll. With 53 needed from 18, it was like watching a cricketing thriller in slow motion. And then, like a lightning bolt, Mahendra Singh Dhoni unleashed his wrath and rage.
A four! A wake-up call to the stadium, a reminder that the captain of calm can turn into a tornado when provoked. And then, oh boy, the very next ball saw a monstrous six. It was like Dhoni had summoned the spirit of Thor, and the ball obeyed like a loyal servant, soaring into the stands with a declaration of his reign.
But wait, the last over had its own tale, the ultimate crescendo of this cricketing opera. Needing 21 off 6, Dhoni unleashed two flat sixes, sending cheers echoing across the stadium. 7 runs off 3, victory hanging on a precipice.
And then, the heartbreak. Sandeep Sharma, the executioner, delivered three flawless balls, crushing the dream with each delivery. CSK lost by a mere 4 runs, victory slipping through their fingers like grains of sand.
Yet, amidst the heartache, there was a silver lining – a prime Dhoni in all his glory. The stadium might have witnessed a loss, but it also basked in the brilliance of the man who defied odds and expectations with every stroke of his bat.
2. 18* VS DC, Qualifier 1 2021:
This season had been unkind to Dhoni’s bat, offering only a meagre 96 runs before the spotlight shifted to this pivotal match.
Amidst the whispers of doubt and the sighs of resignation, there was a glimmer of hope that the lion would rise again. But reality loomed – a season of struggles and falls was his story until now. Then, as destiny would have it, the match arrived, and with it, the moment of truth.
Chennai needed 24 runs from 12 balls, and in strolled Dhoni, the lion with a point to prove. The first ball – a miss, a reminder of his recent struggles. But the second ball, oh my cricketing heavens, that was the moment that defied all odds and silenced all doubts.
A pull shot, a stroke of pure genius that left spectators gasping. The ball met the bat like two old friends reuniting, and as it sailed into the distance, we could practically hear the roar of the lion echoing across the stadium.
From that moment on, there was no stopping him. Boundaries flowed like a river in monsoon as Dhoni unleashed his wrath upon the unsuspecting Delhi Capitals. Three more fours, each one a testament to his skill, his power, and his determination.
And then, victory – sweet, glotriumphriumph. CSK cruised to the final of the 2021 edition, carried on the back of Dhoni’s fire and fury. The lion had risen, silencing the naysayers and proving that legends are made of sterner stuff.
Even the King has shared his feelings after this thriller match.
28* VS MI, Match 33 2022:
Picture this: Dhoni striding in during the 16th over, the stage set for a display of his prowess. He started slow, cautious like a chess grandmaster plotting his moves. And then, the 20th over arrived, the dreaded battleground where bowlers faced the wrath of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Sixteen runs needed off just four balls. The bowler, Jaydev Unadkat, probably wished he could vanish into thin air. But Dhoni had other plans that involved rewriting the match’s script.
And then, the stadium erupted as if a volcano had just awoken. A monstrous six, a display of brute strength that sent the ball into orbit, and it was as if the crowd felt the seismic tremor of Dhoni’s fury.
But he wasn’t done. The next bals a pull shot that echoed with precision and power, finding the boundary like a magnet. Two runs and then the climactic final ball. Four runs are needed for victory, a chance to rewrite history for CSK and add to Mumbai’s woes.
Unadkat’s delivery raced towards Dhoni, who met it with a sweep so delicate, so artful, that it found its way to the boundary with the grace of a dancer. The victory was theirs, a symphony of triumph composed by Dhoni’s bat.
It was a classic Thala inning, a reminder that legends don’t fade; they rise when the stage demands it. In a season filled with challenges, Dhoni stood as a beacon of hope; this match was his magnum opus.
One of the best El Classico matches to have been played.
Well, that’s it for this post. Thank you, MSD, for everything. I’m sure we are all excited for next year when we see you play again, possibly for the last time.
Also Happy Independence Day India! भारत को स्वतंत्रता दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ
Until Next Time!
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