CSK vs SRH: MS Dhoni labelled GOD by former Australian legend for this reason

Lucknow Super Giants' Aussie head coach Justin Langer described the madness of fans about MS Dhoni in India as the "Hysteria of God".  

Now that's some way to put it. It's no more a secret that MS Dhoni's craze in India is out of this world. Wherever he goes, the sea of yellow jerseys follows him. Whether the Chennai Super Kings are playing at home or away, expect opposing fans to turn up to stadiums wearing the CSK jersey. 

The MS Dhoni fever in IPL 2024

In what is touted to be his last and final appearance in the cash-laden cricketing league, fans are putting extra effort to make sure they give a fitting send-off to MS Dhoni. In return, Dhoni, too, has not missed out on giving it back to the fans with his exceptional and vintage performance with the bat. 

From his usual position in the lower-middle order, MS Dhoni has been wreaking havoc in the finisher's role. He hasn't faced many balls in IPL 2024 but he has made the most out of those that he has faced. Dhoni has scored 91 runs from 6 innings thus far at a daunting and destructive strike rate of 260. 

Out of those 91 runs, 80 of them have through boundaries - 8 fours and 8 sixes each. Moreover, MS Dhoni doesn't have an average at the moment because he hasn't got out a single time in IPL 2024. All of this indicates only one thing Dhoni is called "Thala for a reason".   

The 42-year-old well and truly showcased the quality of being a true leader when he stepped down from captaincy just 24 hours before CSK's 2024 season opener. Nobody knows what transpired inside the dressing room but given the type of personality he is, it might have been Dhoni's own decision to let Ruturaj Gaikwad succeed him and continue the rich legacy of the yellow brigade.

Justin Langer only uses superlatives to describe Dhoni's craze 

Former Australia cricketer Justin Langer, who met MS Dhoni twice in IPL 2024 during Lucknow's clashes against Chennai, only used superlatives to describe Dhoni's stature. During a media interaction, Langer claimed that every game is a home game for the CSK, all because of the 5-time IPL winning captain. 

Langer labeled him as a walking phenomenon and that watching his treatment by the fans is a great life experience for him.

"Every CSK game is like a home game for them, all due to the superstar Dhoni. In this country, he is a phenomenon. Nothing like I have seen before. A superb player, treated with the reverence and hysteria of a god, great life experience." - Justin Langer said via "The Nightly" podcast. 

When will MSD and CSK come back in action for IPL 2024?

MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings will be in action tomorrow in a South-Indian derby when they go head-to-head with 3rd-placed SRH. Pat Cummins' red-hot Hyderabadis will visit CSK's fortress at the MA Chidambaram stadium and it will be interesting to see if Cummins can shush the whistling crowd in Chepauk.