'He just disappeared'- Chennai's owner recalls an incident involving MS Dhoni during his first season in the Indian T20 League

MS Dhoni has been a part of the Chennai team in the Indian T20 League since its inception. His love for the franchise is no news to anyone. The veteran cricketer has been with the team in its thick and thin. He has guided the team to four championship wins in the tournament so far. The team also has finished as runner-ups five times under his captaincy.

Dhoni was born in Ranchi, Jharkhand, but his emotional attachment to Chennai is legendary. He is popularly known as 'Thala' across Chennai and feels as at home there as he does in his birthplace. To explain this affection between Dhoni and Chennai, team owner N Srinivasan highlighted another of Dhoni's passions, bikes.

Recalling an incident from the first season of the Indian T20 League, Srinivasan said that Dhoni, a lover of bikes with a diverse collection, rode on the roads of Chennai all by himself. " From the first day, we gave him a bike, and he just disappeared. He drove all around the city," he said in Sportstar Conclave.

"Why he grew on Chennai and why Chennai grew on him was because on matchday you will turn around and suddenly see him on his bike. He has travelled the length and breadth of the city. That, in his own way, has endeared him to the city," Srinivasan added.

In the meantime, the 40-year-old confirmed that he will continue playing for Chennai in the next season as well. Fans were ecstatic after hearing this news. Notably, Dhoni has retired from international cricket but continues to play for the Chennai franchise.

"Well, I think, definitely. It’s a simple reason. It will be unfair to not play in Chennai and say thank you. Mumbai is one place where, as a team and as an individual, I have got a lot of love and affection. But, you know it won’t be nice to the CSK fans," he told Ian Bishop at the toss during Chennai’s last game in the Indian T20 League 2022.