The admiration for MS Dhoni knows no limits. After retiring from international cricket in 2020, he has primarily appeared in the Indian Premier League (IPL), representing the Chennai Super Kings. This means his fans eagerly await his appearances, sometimes for up to ten months between seasons.
Surprisingly, despite his reduced visibility over the past few years, Dhoni’s popularity has only surged with time. This sentiment is supported by data from Star Sports, the official broadcaster of IPL 2024.
The new initiative by Star Sports is taking excitement to a new level of fans
Star Sports has introduced a novel method of gauging crowd excitement levels throughout the tournament, and Dhoni dominates the rankings. The loudest moment, registering at 130 decibels, occurred when Dhoni stepped onto the field at the MA Chidambaram Stadium before the toss for the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings, the opening game of the tournament.
Another highlight came when Dhoni struck a boundary against Delhi Capitals in the 17th over, generating a noise level of 128 decibels. This was Dhoni’s first appearance in IPL 2024, where he opened his scoring with a four off Mukesh Kumar’s delivery, eventually scoring an unbeaten 37 runs off 16 balls, although his team lost the match.
Additionally, Dinesh Karthik’s six against Punjab Kings in Bengaluru also grabbed attention, reaching the same noise level of 128 decibels. Karthik’s shot, clearing the fine leg fence in the final over, added to the excitement of the tense chase.
These instances underscore Dhoni’s enduring popularity and the intense fervour he evokes among cricket enthusiasts. Despite his reduced playing time and focus solely on the IPL, Dhoni continues to captivate audiences, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and its fans.
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