MS Dhoni returns. One of India’s most prized cricketers gets ready to walk out in what could be a packed crowd, with up to 1.5 Lakh people watching him, in a stadium which is supposed to be the home ground for his opponents Gujarat Titans. The support he gathers from opposing crowds is proof alone about his superstar status in the country. Before Dhoni’s arrival in Ahmedabad, the Chennai crowd had a few days to catch a glimpse of their superstar as Crowds came flying in to watch practice sessions open to public.

Now, in Ahmedabad, a day before the game, crowds are dashing once again to catch a glimpse of the same cricketer, who is back after a year. Through his long career, MS Dhoni has enjoyed a lot of attention, and made a lot of bonds and is a proven crowd-puller. His name is a key part of the IPL, as it is to the Chennai Super Kings, a franchise which he has led from the start, barring the break in between, where Jadeja took over.

A day before the tournament, MS Dhoni stood for yet another captains photoshoot and later went to meet friends in the opposite camp. Gary Kirsten, his partner in crime and the head coach of the Indian Team in the World Cup indulged in a casual conversation following which MS Dhoni met Hardik Pandya, the player who took the baton from MS Dhoni as India’s finisher.

Nearly 42, MS Dhoni still attracts crowds to the stadium, and the calmness of the man remains the same despite losing the previous season badly. As a batter, MS Dhoni gave glimpses of his power-hitting as well, and it will be interesting to see if Dhoni the Finisher still has a chapter to write in his illustrious career.

On the other end though was Hardik Pandya, a player who looks up to Dhoni, and respects the man as much as ever. Both were deep into their practice sessions as they gear up for a game against each other. From 2016 to 2023, the pair has come a long way. Back in 2016, when Hardik Pandya was making his debut, MS Dhoni was still the captain of the Indian Team. He helped shoot Pandya too fame in the national side, as Pandya kept his cool in one of the craziest Final Overs in T20 Cricket against Bangladesh. Hardik Pandya, after taking advice at the top of his bowling mark that day is often seen giving advice to younger bowlers, just as MS Dhoni once did to him.

With the bat too, Hardik Pandya, a player who burst into the scenes as a really explosive players have now started to bat with a lot more maturity following Dhoni’s retirement. He has taken it upon himself to see games through, and bat with patience, keeping himself calm, unlike the Pandya of 2016, who oozed aggression.

Over his career he looked up to his ex-skipper a lot, and has taken it upon himself to become a more calculative and flexible player. Last season, with Gujarat a touch light on batting, Pandya stepped up the order and made the number four spot his own. With the ball too, Pandya often is seen taking the tough overs, shielding bowlers who are off-rhythm, as was the case with Arshdeep Singh earlier in the year.

Now, Hardik Pandya, after growing as a leader over the last year gets ready to take on MS Dhoni, his mentor over the years. He trumped MS Dhoni and CSK twice last season and will know that MS Dhoni will have some interesting tricks up his sleeve as MS Dhoni returns to impress the crowd yet again. From MS Dhoni’s point of view, in what could be his last season, there remains a lot of responsibility on him to help turn around CSK’s poor fortunes from last season. He has shown the power to hit big sixers, and fans will desperately be hoping to catch a glimpse of vintage MS Dhoni one more time this season, as he prepares to take on his protege.