"Dhoni effect..": Ajinkya Rahane reveals why every game turns out to be home game for CSK in IPL 2024

Ajinkya Rahane has scored 119 runs in 5 matches for CSK in IPL 2024 thus far.

Ajinkya Rahane, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter, has attributed former captain MS Dhoni’s charisma as the reason why CSK get home-like support from fans wherever they go in the ongoing IPL 2024 tournament.

Chennai Super Kings are placed 4th on the IPL 2024 points table with 3 wins from 5 matches and 6 points to their name. IPL 2024 is very important to CSK’s large supporters because it could be MS Dhoni’s final season in the renowned event.

This simply adds to the excitement for the defending champions’ huge season, with their next emphasis being on their highly anticipated match against long-time rivals, MI, on April 14.

We are playing a home match everywhere just because of Mahi Bhai (MS Dhoni): Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane reflected on his time with the 5-time IPL champions, stating that his defined role at CSK allows him far more freedom than at previous organizations.

Since joining the team in 2023, Rahane has established himself as one of the team’s more reliable batting alternatives, and his performance in the IPL 2024 has further strengthened his position in the CSK playing lineup. He has 119 runs in CSK’s five matches so far.

Rahane explained how Dhoni’s popularity has played a huge effect throughout all the side’s fixtures in IPL 2024.

“In a different perspective, when we are traveling everywhere just because of one man, we are playing a home match just because of Mahi Bhai (MS Dhoni). That’s a wonderful feeling, obviously. When we are playing with him, so many things you can learn as a cricketer, as a human being, how he conducts himself… Mumbai guys, Maharashtra guys playing in CSK, the atmosphere which we have in the dressing room within the group is fantastic,” Rahane said in an interview with CSK.

Rahane commented on how MS Dhoni’s advice before his T20I debut for India became a guiding principle for him throughout his professional career.

“When I made my T20 debut in 2011 in Manchester, we just finished our practice and on the day of the game, he came up to me and said ‘However you have played your game all this while, just play that way, just go out there and express yourself’, that stuck to me till now. I mean, even in CSK he told me “Just play your game, no added pressure…I think that is why he is so great, he keeps it very simple and backs each and every individual,” Rahane added.

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