"Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni aren't even playing, they're just walking.."- Jos Buttler

England white-ball skipper Jos Buttler lauded the immense fan base of iconic Indian players like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Jos Buttler emphasized the unparalleled excitement fans exhibit during IPL matches, comparing the atmosphere to a Taylor Swift concert.

MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli stand as the most popular cricket icons in India at the moment. Dhoni secured three ICC trophies as India’s captain. Meanwhile, Kohli, renowned for his batting prowess, has set numerous records in his illustrious career in international cricket.

Both Dhoni and Kohli will take the field in the IPL 2024 opener, where the Chennai Super Kings will face off against the Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22. The highly anticipated IPL match is scheduled to be held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

In an interaction with FanCode, Jos Buttler emphasized the unparalleled excitement fans exhibit when MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli step onto the field, drawing a comparison to the enthusiasm of 10-year-olds at a live concert.

“(There’s) that sort of fantasy around the IPL and the way the fans are is, like I say, unmatched. There are guys like Dhoni and Kohli, when these guys walk on the field, it is probably like 10-year-olds at a Taylor Swift concert. It’s unbelievable, the noise that people create just to see them, you know? They are not even playing, they’re just walking out onto the field,” Buttler told Fancode.

Kohli played under Dhoni’s leadership during India’s victories in the 2011 ODI World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy before assuming captaincy across all formats in 2017. Kohli stepped down from captaincy duties for both India and the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

They Are A-List Celebs Out There – Jos Buttler

The 33-year-old likened MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli to A-list celebrities, recounting how people flock to them at airports for selfies. He highlighted their significant influence on social media, which he described as incredible.

“Travelling through the airports there’s security all around them, guys trying to just take a selfie or get close to them. They are A-list celebs out there and the following they have. Obviously, now with social media and the influence they have is incredible. So, it’s cool to see a bit of that,” Buttler added.

Want To Shut Yourself Away In Your Room – Jos Buttler

While acknowledging the overwhelming fame, Jos Buttler admitted to occasionally shying away from the limelight. The wicketkeeper-batter highlighted the adoration for cricketers, particularly Indian icons, among fans.

“At times you want to shut yourself away in your room and just hide away. Obviously, we don’t have it to the level those guys I mentioned do. But it’s also cool to get that sort of recognition and feel like a bit of a rockstar. So, yeah, the fans are next level for cricketers and especially the big Indian stars, they really do idolise them,” Buttler further stated.

Buttler will represent the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the upcoming season of the IPL. He won the Orange Cap in the IPL 2022 season, scoring 863 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average of 57.53 and a strike rate of 149.05, including four centuries and four fifties.

Rajasthan Royals reached the final in the 2022 IPL season but missed the playoffs in the next. The Jaipur-based franchise will kick off their campaign against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Sawai Mansingh Indoor Stadium on Sunday, March 24.

Also read: Jofra Archer to play T20 World Cup? Jos Buttler’s revelation stuns fans