Cricket

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary wicket-keeper-batsman, has been enjoying a well-deserved break after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. Dhoni, known for his low-key profile, has been spending quality time with his family at his Ranchi farmhouse.A recent video shared on social media has captured the Dhoni family in a playful mood with their pet dogs. The video shows Dhoni petting and fondling the dogs, while his wife Sakshi and daughter Ziva engage in playful interactions.Since retiring from international cricket, Dhoni has maintained a low profile, rarely engaging in public activities or social media. His only involvement in cricket has been through the IPL, where he led the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to victory in the 2023 season.However, in IPL 2024, Dhoni handed over the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad. Despite CSK's failure to qualify for the playoffs, Dhoni had a successful season personally. Despite batting as low as number 8, he scored 161 runs at a strike rate of over 220.Dhoni's impressive form in the IPL has led to calls for his return to the Indian team. Former teammate Virender Sehwag has expressed his belief that Dhoni remains the best finisher in the game.While India has not yet felt the need for a specialist finisher in the ongoing T20 World Cup, Dhoni's experience and ability to handle pressure situations could prove invaluable in the latter stages of the tournament.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed remarkable financial growth in the past year, with its business value surging by 6.5% to US$16.4 billion and its brand value increasing by 6.3% to US$3.4 billion, according to a report by global investment bank Houlihan Lokey.The report highlights the growing appeal of the IPL as a business enterprise and brand, attracting esteemed brands seeking to enhance their value. The title sponsorship for the IPL has been secured by the Tata Group for a further five-year period, from 2024 until 2028, for approximately US$300 million, reflecting the league's status as a pivotal platform for brands.In terms of franchise valuations, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) remains the most valued franchise, despite failing to make it to the playoffs in 2024. CSK's brand value stands at US$231.0 million, a 9% growth from the previous year.The IPL 2024 winners, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), have seen the highest growth in brand value, with a 19.30% rise from 2023. KKR's brand value now stands at US$216.0 million, securing them the third spot in the rankings.Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ranks second in both brand and business value, with a brand worth of US$227.0 million. Five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI), despite their immense popularity, trail in fourth place with a brand value of US$204.0 million.The report also notes the return of Hardik Pandya as captain of MI, solidifying the team's status as one of the most evolving franchises in IPL history.

MS Dhoni's legacy continues to inspire players and fans worldwide, despite India's lack of major ICC trophies since his retirement. Australian legend Matthew Hayden, who played under Dhoni for three years at Chennai Super Kings, has heaped praise on the former Indian captain.Hayden, a member of Australia's dominant teams in the early 2000s, believes Dhoni could have easily led an Australian dressing room. "He believes that he is not bigger than anyone else," said Hayden. "He'll collect bags, he'll throw cricket balls."Hayden's compliments are particularly significant in light of recent incidents at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Australia's ODI World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins was seen carrying drinks for his teammates in their T20 World Cup opener against Oman, despite not playing. Hayden believes Dhoni would have been equally selfless."He's a very humble individual," stated Hayden. "Dhoni finds a way to galvanise people, where it's nothing about ego, nothing about self-promotion."Chennai Super Kings face a daunting task in replacing Dhoni's leadership. Despite winning the title in 2023 under Dhoni's captaincy, CSK failed to qualify for the play-offs this season with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the helm."Dhoni will remain the iconic leader of CSK forever," said Hayden. "That's his charm, but also his X-factor."Team India continues to search for its first T20 World Cup title since 2007, when Dhoni led a young Indian team to victory. Dhoni's legacy as a selfless and inspiring leader serves as a reminder of the qualities needed to achieve success at the highest level.

India's veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a significant move by returning to the India Cements group, where he will play a multifaceted role in Superking Ventures, a subsidiary of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The 37-year-old, who previously played for CSK from 2008 to 2015, expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunity to contribute to the cricketing fraternity and nurture young talents.Ashwin's return to India Cements marks a homecoming of sorts, as he began his cricketing journey with the organization. K.S. Viswanathan, CEO of Chennai Super Kings Ltd., hailed Ashwin's return, emphasizing his exceptional cricketing abilities and commitment to the game. Viswanathan highlighted Ashwin's role in guiding the CSK High-Performance Centre and Super Kings academies, where he will share his vast experience and expertise with aspiring cricketers.The CSK High-Performance Centre, located in Navalur on the outskirts of Chennai, is a state-of-the-art facility that provides a comprehensive training environment for young players. Ashwin's involvement in the centre is expected to enhance its capabilities and foster a culture of excellence. The centre's ground is ready for use, and other infrastructure is under construction. CSK even held a practice session at the venue during the Indian Premier League (IPL), and it will also host TNCA first-division matches this year.While Ashwin's return to India Cements has sparked speculation about his potential return to the CSK playing XI, the path to a reunion is not straightforward. The IPL is set to undergo a mega auction in 2025, with retentions and no trade window before that. However, Ashwin remains eligible to play for the India Cements teams in the first division (2024-25) that starts on Thursday, although he is unlikely to feature in the first few rounds.Ashwin's return to India Cements is a testament to his enduring passion for cricket and his desire to give back to the game. His experience and leadership qualities will undoubtedly benefit the organization and the young cricketers under its wing.

Shah Rukh Khan's Heartwarming Gesture Wins Chennai Crowd's HeartsBollywood superstar and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan stole the hearts of Chennai fans after his team's emphatic victory in the IPL 2024 final. Despite KKR's dominant performance, Khan made a special effort to acknowledge the home crowd of five-time champions Chennai Super Kings.After KKR's comprehensive 113-run victory over SunRisers Hyderabad, Khan joined the Chennai crowd in chanting "CSK, CSK." The gesture was a heartwarming tribute to the city that has hosted numerous memorable IPL matches."It was a beautiful gesture by SRK," said Chennai fan John Abraham. "It showed that he understands the passion of the Chennai crowd and that he respects their team."Khan's gesture was not only a moment of sportsmanship but also a reflection of his deep connection with his fans. Despite being a co-owner of a rival team, Khan has always maintained a close relationship with the people of Chennai."Shah Rukh Khan is a true superstar," said Chennai resident Priya Sharma. "He knows how to make people happy, even when they're not supporting his team."KKR's victory was a culmination of a remarkable season for the team. After a long trophy drought, KKR finally lifted their third IPL title, thanks to a dominant performance throughout the tournament."We played like invincibles throughout the season," said KKR captain Shreyas Iyer. "There's so much to cherish right now. It is pleasing, the performance has been flawless throughout."SRH, who had a superb IPL 2024, were unable to replicate their form in the final. KKR's bowlers restricted SRH to a paltry 113, which the Kolkata batters chased down in just 10.3 overs."We were lucky to bowl first and every situation went in our favor," said Iyer. "We have been tremendous from game one, we stepped up today."Khan's heartwarming gesture and KKR's emphatic victory made the IPL 2024 final a memorable night for both Kolkata and Chennai fans.

Michael Hussey, the former Australian left-handed opener, has expressed his disinterest in becoming the head coach of the India men's cricket team. Hussey, who recently served as an assistant coach with the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024, cited the demanding nature of the role and his desire for a balanced lifestyle as reasons for his decision."They play more cricket than probably anyone in the world really, they're literally going from tour to tour to tour," Hussey said. "So that would be a pretty challenging sort of role where you'd have to be there, boots on the ground. You're probably only getting the IPL off, which is eight to 10 weeks, but then the rest of the year you're going to be pretty much on the go."Hussey also acknowledged the high regard in which Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain and current head coach of the Chennai Super Kings, is held in India. However, he believes that Fleming is unlikely to entertain the idea of coaching India due to his own preference for a balanced lifestyle."It just goes to show how highly regarded he is on the world stage but particularly in India," Hussey said. "But I don't think he'd entertain the idea, he loves the balance as well. He probably finds it a little bit amusing that his name keeps coming up, but pretty honoured that he's in the mix."India has a history of appointing overseas head coaches, including John Wright (New Zealand), Greg Chappell (Australia), Gary Kirsten (South Africa), and Duncan Fletcher (Zimbabwe). However, Chappell believes that the demanding nature of the role may deter many potential candidates."I'm not sure many want to do 10 months on the road, especially if they can do media work," Chappell said. "It's almost a no-win role."Kumar Sangakkara, the director of cricket for the Rajasthan Royals and former Sri Lanka captain, has also ruled himself out of contention for the India head coach job."I have not been approached, and I don't have time to commit full-time to an India coaching job," Sangakkara said. "Happy with my stint with Royals, and let's see how it goes."

MS Dhoni's Enduring Legacy: A Force to Reckon With in the IPLDespite relinquishing the captaincy of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), MS Dhoni remains an indomitable force in the Indian Premier League (IPL). His presence on the field continues to inspire awe and admiration, both from opponents and fans alike.Dhoni's influence is palpable in the unwavering support he commands from CSK fans. Playing against CSK in Chennai has become a daunting task for opponents, with the crowd overwhelmingly clad in Dhoni jerseys. Even during away games, CSK fans turn out in droves, proudly displaying their allegiance to the legendary wicketkeeper-batsman.Justin Langer, coach of the Lucknow Super Giants, has witnessed firsthand the extraordinary fandom surrounding Dhoni. He compares Dhoni's following to that of cricket icons Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. "It's unbelievable. The hero worship in India is unbelievable," Langer remarked.Langer notes that Dhoni's popularity can overshadow other players, as evidenced by the challenges faced by Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma. However, he emphasizes the importance of embracing the hero worship rather than being disheartened by it.Dhoni's enduring legacy in the IPL is a testament to his exceptional leadership, strategic brilliance, and unwavering determination. His presence on the field continues to captivate fans and inspire his teammates. As the IPL progresses, Dhoni's influence will undoubtedly remain a significant factor in the fortunes of the Chennai Super Kings.

Chennai's 'Thala-Land' Silenced as CSK's Absence Dampens IPL Qualifier 2On an ordinary IPL match day, Wallajah Road, the bustling thoroughfare leading to the MA Chidambaram Stadium, would be a vibrant tapestry of activity. But on Friday, as Qualifier 2 between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad unfolded, an eerie quietness hung in the air.The road, usually teeming with sports merchandise vendors, was deserted. Unsold yellow jerseys, a poignant reminder of the impact of Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) absence, lay in piles outside shuttered shops. Street vendors struggled to sell counterfeit jerseys, their usual brisk trade replaced by a disheartening silence.The absence of CSK, the city's beloved team, cast a pall over the atmosphere. The buzz that typically permeated the area from 4 pm onwards on match days was conspicuously absent. A few scattered Orange and pink jerseys made their way towards the Chepauk gates, but the electric atmosphere that characterized CSK games was nowhere to be found."I'm a regular at CSK matches," lamented Arun Pradeep, a devoted fan. "I had three tickets, but couldn't find anyone to take them. We decided to support good cricket instead."The biggest losers were the counterfeit jersey sellers, who typically made a killing on CSK match days. On this day, they struggled to sell a handful of Pat Cummins and Sanju Samson shirts.Despite the absence of CSK, the stadium filled to a capacity of 29,255. But the soul of the event was missing. The day served as a stark reminder of the immense value that MS Dhoni and CSK bring to the IPL landscape.

Fear and Pressure: Essential Ingredients for Courage, Says MS DhoniLegendary cricketer MS Dhoni believes that fear and pressure are crucial elements in shaping an individual's character and decision-making abilities. In a recent video shared by Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni emphasized the importance of these emotions in fostering courage and recklessness."Fear is very important," Dhoni stated. "Unless you have fear, you can never be brave or courageous. It helps you make the right decisions, keeping everything in mind." He further explained that the absence of fear can lead to recklessness and a disregard for potential consequences.Dhoni highlighted that fear and pressure are essential for personal growth and development. "If you are fearless, then you will be reckless," he said. "You won't respect the normal things or the dangers involved."Dhoni's insights stem from his illustrious career as a cricketer, where he led the Chennai Super Kings to a record five Indian Premier League titles. Despite stepping down as captain before the current season, Dhoni remains an integral part of the team.Speculations have been rife about Dhoni's potential retirement from the tournament, but CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has stated that the decision ultimately rests with the former India captain. Viswanathan expressed optimism that Dhoni will continue to play for CSK in the 2025 IPL season.Dhoni's performance in the recently concluded season was impressive, despite undergoing knee surgery last year. He scored 161 runs in 73 balls at a strike rate of 220.55 and displayed his exceptional skills behind the stumps.With a mega IPL auction scheduled later this year, CSK is expected to retain Dhoni if he decides to continue playing. However, the number of players allowed to be retained remains unclear. Viswanathan stated that discussions with the BCCI are yet to take place regarding the retention rules.