“Dhoni Didn’t Belong to Chennai—Chennai Belonged to Dhoni!”

Aakash Chopra, Ajay Jadeja, and Anil Kumble reflect on MS Dhoni’s unbreakable bond with Chennai as the CSK legend nears the twilight of his career.

New Delhi, March 5 – As MS Dhoni enters what could be his final IPL season, cricketing legends Aakash Chopra, Ajay Jadeja, and Anil Kumble have paid heartfelt tributes to the unparalleled bond between Dhoni and Chennai. Over the years, CSK and its captain have become inseparable, and while the legendary keeper-batter prepares to pass the torch, his influence remains as strong as ever.

The build-up to IPL 2025 has been dominated by Dhoni’s future and Chennai Super Kings’ transition—a theme that has played out in previous seasons but feels more definitive this time. Retained as an uncapped player before last year’s mega auction in Jeddah, Dhoni continues to be the heartbeat of CSK.

“The Son of Chennai” – Dhoni’s Legacy Lives On

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra expressed admiration for how Chennai embraced Dhoni as one of their own. “The bond between MS Dhoni and Chennai is truly heartwarming. It’s rare for a player from another city to be embraced so completely as one of their own,” he said on JioHotstar’s ‘Power Play’.

Ajay Jadeja reflected on how unexpected yet beautiful Dhoni’s journey with CSK has been, saying, “When the IPL started in 2008, every team had its own icon—Yuvraj Singh for Punjab, Virender Sehwag for Delhi. No one could have imagined back then that Dhoni would become the son of Chennai.”

Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble added that Tamil Nadu’s culture of hero worship made Dhoni’s legendary status inevitable. “It was only a matter of time before MS Dhoni earned that status, where fans truly idolized him.”

A New Era for CSK?

With Dhoni passing the captaincy torch to Ruturaj Gaikwad, signs are pointing toward a new era for CSK. Gaikwad led the five-time champions to a fifth-place finish last season, narrowly missing the playoffs.

Aakash Chopra believes the post-Dhoni transition is already in motion. “I think the planning for the post-Dhoni era has begun. We can see that a time is coming when Dhoni, as a player, will not be part of that group.”

Will Dhoni Even Take the Field in IPL 2025?

With Ruturaj leading the squad, Anil Kumble speculated that Dhoni might not play every game this season. “With the impact player rule, his presence can still be valuable without playing every match.”

AB de Villiers Hails Dhoni’s Impact

Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers acknowledged Dhoni’s immeasurable contribution to the game, saying, “Gotta give credit to him for encouraging millions to watch the game of cricket and be inspired. It’s because of guys like him who have carried the game well for a very long time.”

As Dhoni gears up for IPL 2025, whether this is his last dance with CSK or just another chapter in his legendary career, one thing is certain—his legacy in Chennai is eternal.

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Tags: MS Dhoni, Chennai Super Kings, IPL 2025, Dhoni Retirement, Ruturaj Gaikwad, CSK Leadership, Aakash Chopra, Ajay Jadeja, Anil Kumble, AB de Villiers, Dhoni Legacy, IPL News