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In the latest revelation from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fast bowler Mitchell Starc has expressed his astonishment at the unwavering craze surrounding Chennai Super Kings (CSK) veteran wicketkeeper-batter, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Despite being 42 years old, Dhoni continues to command immense adoration and attention from cricket enthusiasts across the nation.
Mitchell Starc’s observations on MD Dhoni mania
Starc, known for his fiery pace and lethal bowling skills, recently shared his observations about Dhoni’s unparalleled popularity during an interview amidst the ongoing IPL season. The Australian pacer acknowledged that Dhoni’s status transcends the boundaries of mere cricketing achievements, attributing it to the icon’s immense impact on Indian cricket and culture.
The Chennai spectacle: A sea of yellow
Starc marveled at the sea of yellow engulfing the stadium during CSK matches, whether home or away. Recalling the match against Chennai at their home ground in MA Chidambaram Stadium, Starc vividly described the deafening roar that engulfed the arena upon Dhoni’s arrival at the crease, a spectacle that surpassed any sporting experience he had encountered.
“It’s been interesting, I haven’t watched every game but certainly seen a few Chennai games on the TV and the amount of yellow in the crowd whether they are home or away has been next level. We played Chennai in Chennai, I am not sure I’ve ever heard anything like that when he [Dhoni] came out to bat,” Starc said on LiSTNR SPORT YouTube channel.
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Dhoni’s Chennai reception overpowers MCG crowd
Starc’s astonishment reached new heights as he compared the fervor witnessed in Chennai to the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), renowned for its colossal capacity. The Australian speedster asserted that even a crowd of a hundred thousand at the MCG would pale in comparison to the thunderous reception Dhoni commands in Chennai, emphasizing the unparalleled magnitude of Dhoni’s popularity in the cricketing realm.
“That stadium only holds about 30,000 people and the noise was…we are all on the field and it was actually nothing I’ve ever heard of on a sporting field playing or watching. A hundred thousand people at MCG doesn’t stand a chance against 35 thousand at Chennai when Dhoni comes to bat – it’s ridiculous,” added Starc.
