THEIR SPACE

 

 

 

 

THE Indian Premier League (IPL) provides a platform for the stars off the national duty to rekindle their original magic for which fans still make a beeline. It does not matter if they are not part of international cricket nor their status in the franchise team is of any importance. What the fans seek is the class on which their career was built and continued with grace and aplomb. Over the years, former stars have had their imprint on the IPL seasons though they were not part of international cricket bandwagon. It hardly mattered for the die-hards who wanted to have more pound of flesh of their favourites notwithstanding the tournament. Joining that exclusive legion is Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has never ceased to amaze his fans and the cricketing world. The ‘Thala’ (Boss) has carved his place, own it in style and is set to make it immortal.

 

This edition of the IPL saw Dhoni yet again relinquishing his captaincy, this time handing over the Chennai Super King’s young gun Ruturaj Gaikwad. It has hardly made any difference to the demigod status of the former Indian World Cup winning captain. He has continued to ride the Yellow Wave with his sensational batting full of thrills. CSK coach Stephen Fleming has correctly described his batting place in the team as “owing the space”. There is no need to change the batting order for Dhoni as he has yet again exhibited his penchant for death overs where he thrived all his career. This IPL, too, has seen the unfolding of another amazing chapter in Dhoni’s white-ball career as he continued the giant-hitting act to serve his team.

 

Be it the 4-ball 20 against Mumbai Indians or the 9-ball 28 against Lucknow Super Giants, Dhoni has weaved his magic not just on the CSK lovers but all cricket fans even from the opposition. The reception he got at the Wankhede Stadium while playing against home team MI reaffirmed the high pedestal that Dhoni has marked for himself in the history of Indian cricket. The MI supporters did not mind Dhoni whacking their own bowler with disdain. They were ready to soak in the thrill for the sheer electricity those shots produced. It was confirmation of the status that Dhoni has achieved in the league and the cult figure he has become for his fans across the world. Similar stories were scripted when Sachin Tendulkar played for MI after hanging his boots from T20 cricket after just one international. He did not need to be in the national team. His mere presence was enough to charge the atmosphere. And Tendulkar did what all the youngsters were doing in T20I much to the delight of the cricketing world. At the same time, the maverick Shane Warne was proving his class. He was the first captain to win the IPL when he led an unfancied Rajasthan Royals to victory. Both the one-time rivals again were creating their own space in the crowd on the dint of sheer class. Dhoni has followed suit.