IPL 2025: Romancing CSK, from MS Dhoni stumping to R.Ashwin spin magic

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Rethink if you are going to say Chennai Super Kings is a bunch of oldies. For old charm and the romance of what the Chepauk is, the performance from the Yellow Gang was clinical and professional against Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2025 Sunday night match.

MI vs CSK has been a topic of debate for years. Just that the way MI have been struggling in recent years is no longer a joke. In terms of star players, loaded with so many big names they look unbeatable on paper. On the ground, the paper turn pulp as MI fell to the spin guile of CSK, where the template is simple, produce wickets which will choke the stroke-makers.

For those who have romanced CSK over the year, since the advent of the IPL in 2008, they rank high on the emotional quotient. No CSK fan will curse or abuse their team. It is faith more than belief their team will produce the magic in the IPL. The problem is, CSK have set such high standards, people think the side has to keep winning IPL titles. In a competitive fray, that will not be easy, though in terms of superstars who are ageing, CSK offer great value without big sends at the IPL auction.

Memories from Sunday night come in a torrent and not trickle. Talismanic MS Dhoni had said on TV before the match, even if he is on a wheelchair, the team will drag him out and take him to the 22 yards in the middle of the Chepauk. For those who watched Dhoni don the gloves and keep wickets, it was a magical sight.

One particular stumping he effected, whipping the bails with Suryakumar Yadav at the crease, was mind blowing. Sample this, Surya is the India T20 skipper and did not know where his feet were. Presence of mind, reflexes, reaction time and zing, the way Dhoni destroyed Surya with Noor Ahmad rolling his arm and wrist. This one dismissal was enough for hungry CSK fans to even skip dinner. They had filled themselves this with this classic MS dismissal. At 43, pushing 44, he would not need a wheelchair. And for many armchair critics, Dhoni will be an enigma, an emotion.

There is that mass connect of MS with CSK and their fans which transcends all barriers of greatness, popularity and still being a performer. It's a bit like how fans at Wimbledon knew, as long as Pete Sampras can stand on one leg and serve, first and second cannon balls on grass, he would win matches. At another level, one can compare MS with what CR7 (Cristiano Ronaldo) does in Saudi Arabia, still scores for his club Al-Nassr. So, don't bring this age debate in, MS Dhoni is still relevant to IPL and he does not need any support. Two seasons ago, he had weak knees. Today, he makes you weak-kneed pulling off magic.

If Dhoni is romance, Chennai welcomed back its own son, R.Ashwin. The off spinner retired from international cricket during the Border Gavaskar Trophy Series in Australia in January and flew back. Ashwin knows the Chepauk like nobody else. Born and bred here, he loves the aura and the ambience. In the twilight of his career, he still provides that glow with his four overs where there are lessons to be learnt. If he is not going to take wickets, he is going to fetter the batters without chains. Last but not the least, a clap for how Ravindra Jadeja, also well past his mid-30s still provides energy while fielding.

You still don't romance, CSK?