MS Dhoni mania grips Lucknow as ‘Thala craze’ takes over City of Nawabs – WATCH

New Delhi: Wherever MS Dhoni goes, the Sea of Yellow follows him. Dhoni’s fan following knows no boundaries, so much so that even the rival IPL fans switch allegiances to support the iconic Chennai Super Kings (CSK) cricketer. Ahead of CSK’s away match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Dhoni fever gripped the City of Nawabs with massive hoardings on the streets to welcome the two-time World Cup winner.

The ‘Captain Cool’ received a grand reception on his arrival to Uttar Pradesh’s capital with fans waiting in queues to catch a glimpse of their hero.

Things went even crazier hours later when CSK’s team bus was en route to the stadium. Thousands of Mahi maniacs thronged the streets to welcome their favourite superstar and get a chance to watch him from close quarters.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni – The biggest crowd puller ever! #LSGvsCSK
pic.twitter.com/Caus2uJvfi

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) April 19, 2024

What should have been an away game, didn’t look like an away game as home fans forgot the team they were supposed to support in the presence of the iconic Indian cricketer.

‘Thala’ in the house

Aiming to bounce back from back-to-back defeats, LSG skipper KL Rahul won the toss and opted to field first at a jam-packed Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The home side one change by replacing Shamar Joseph with Matt Henry while CSK brought in Moeen Ali for Daryl Mitchell and Deepak Chahar for Shardul Thakur.

Even the home fans were dressed in Yellow. Spectators inside the stadium welcome Dhoni with some innovative posters and pictures.

Everywhere he goes…. 💛

📸: IPL#MSDhoni #IPL2024 #LSGvsCSK pic.twitter.com/KZU04ukcy7

— OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) April 19, 2024

LSG started well and dismissed both the openers inside the powerplay before bagging quick wickets of Ajinkya Rahane and in-form Shivam Dube to rattle the Chennai batting order.

This is not the first time this season, Dhoni’s craze has turned an away match into a home match for CSK.

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