The long wait is over: Dhoni on Chennai Super Kings

It would be no exaggeration by any means to find fault with a newbie, visiting the M A Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday, for thinking that an Indian Premier League match with Chennai Super Kings as a team was going on as an unprecedented sea of yellow engulfed the stadium ahead of the first Tamil Nadu Premier League match.

Vociferous fans flocked to the stadium in yellow jerseys to catch a glimpse of their favourite star and former India and CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was the guest of honour.

The crowd went berserk as Dhoni, sporting a yellow TNPL jersey with the number 7, went around the stadium and threw merchandise to the crowd. The talisman along with former CSK players - Mathew Hayden, S Badrinath, Aniruddha Srikanth, Mohit Sharma, Pawan Negi and C Ganapathy entertained the crowd with their massive six hitting abilities. It was worth the money for fans when Dhoni sent three balls soaring into the crowd with monstrous hits.

Dhoni said he was happy to be in Chennai. “It is good to be here, where I can proudly say I played a lot of cricket. I made my Test debut in Chennai. The crowd has been fantastic. They have given unconditional love and affection. I always say it is my second home,” he said.

“I would definitely like to congratulate that CSK is back and next year you will be watching them play here. The long wait is over. I think the yellow is pretty special and I think we have done pretty well in the yellow,” he added.

The former Indian captain had words of wisdom for young TN players. “Being slow and steady is important. TNPL is a platform to see where you stand. But don't aim to play for India immediately. First aim to get into state side, do well and slowly progress to Duleep and Deodhar and then to India A before wanting to play for the country,” Dhoni explained.

Dhoni said despite a busy schedule, he didn’t miss a chance to follow the TNPL. “I was tracking the highlights. It is amazing to give the guys kind of platform that was given. I know it is a state wide domestic tournament but it gives them the opportunity to rub shoulders with the best players TN has to offer. It also gives the kind of experience that is needed being under a physio or trainer etc.  I feel a lot of players, who had a successful last season, would have gone home and realized these are the areas I need to improve to be even more successful,” he added.

Dhoni thanked the Chennai crowd for being a part of India’s lows too. “Thanks for the love and affection, you have given over the years for not only as a franchise player but even when we have come with the Indian team. The support has been fantastic even when we were going through a lean patch in a game,” he noted.

After smacking three sixes off three balls, Dhoni revealed the secret of his six hitting prowess. “I try to watch the ball and go against orthodox form of cricket which says hold it lightly. I try to hold it a bit firmly and I don’t look to hit big sixes. What I look for is a good connection. I hit big sixes in practice but in the matches, it is more flat. I don't get lot of elevation,” he explained.

Talking about the impact T20 cricket has created, Dhoni said, “I think more than power, the guys (players) have a bigger heart. They are willing to take the challenge. Be it the first or last delivery of the game, if it is in their area, they can clear and that is most critical.

“That is what T20 has brought into the whole format be it Test or even ODI cricket. I think the approach of the player has changed and people are looking to score more and more runs. They want to get results by playing aggressive and more expressive cricket,” he concluded to a thunderous applause from the crowd.