The anticipation was palpable as Chennai Super Kings‘ (CSK) legend, MS Dhoni, graced the field for a practice session ahead of their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on April 5.

MS Dhoni’s Thunderous Reception

Dhoni, affectionately known as “Captain Cool,” was greeted with thunderous applause from fans as he stepped onto the field. The atmosphere was electric as supporters cheered for their cricketing icon, acknowledging his unparalleled contribution to Indian cricket over the years.

Dhoni’s Recent Performances

The buzz around MS Dhoni isn’t just for his past glories but also for his recent performances on the cricket field. In a recent match against Delhi Capitals, Dhoni showcased his batting prowess with a blistering 16-ball 37*. He once again captivated the crowd with his explosive strokeplay and trademark finishing skills.

Transition in CSK Leadership

Amidst speculations of his retirement, MS Dhoni made headlines by relinquishing his leadership role in CSK in favor of the young and talented Ruturaj Gaikwad. Despite stepping down as captain, Dhoni continues to lead by example, delivering match-winning performances when it matters the most.

CSK’s IPL 2024 Performance

CSK started their IPL 2024 campaign on a high note, securing convincing victories against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Titans. However, their momentum was halted by Delhi Capitals, posing a formidable challenge to the seasoned CSK squad.

Match Against SRH

Currently positioned at number three on the IPL 2024 points table, CSK is gearing up for a crucial encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad. With MS Dhoni’s leadership and experience guiding the team. CSK aims to bounce back from their recent setback and continue their quest for IPL glory.

The 18th match of the IPL 2024 season will be played between Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings. However, Sunrisers Hyderabad won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Playing XIs:

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Abdul Samad, Nitish Reddy, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins(c), Jaydev Unadkat, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, T Natarajan

Sunrisers Hyderabad Subs: Travis Head, Umran Malik, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tripathi

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana

Chennai Super Kings Subs: Shardul Thakur, Shaik Rasheed, Mitchell Santner, Sameer Rizvi, Mukesh Choudhary