The anticipation in the city of Lucknow is palpable as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) gear up to face the home team, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), in a high-voltage Indian Premier League (IPL) clash on Friday, April 19, 2024. As IPL 2024 progresses, this encounter, slated as the 34th match of the season, promises fireworks given the contrasting current forms of the teams involved.
Coming off two consecutive victories, the Chennai Super Kings are riding high, their confidence bolstered by strategic plays and stellar performances. The Super Giants, on the other hand, are facing a rough patch with two successive losses, making the upcoming game crucial to regain their footing in the league.
Much of the excitement surrounding the match centers on MS Dhoni, whose legendary status continues to endear him to cricket fans across the nation. Dhoni’s appeal is so strong that even in Lucknow, it’s common to see the local fans cheering for CSK, illustrating the profound impact Dhoni has had on the sport in India.
Reflecting the city’s admiration and respect for Dhoni, numerous hoardings can be spotted across Lucknow bearing messages that exemplify the mixed emotions of the local fans. One such hoarding reads, “Hum chahte hain Dhoni last ball pe six maare, par tab, jab jeetne ke liye 12 run ho” (“We want Dhoni to hit a six off the last ball, but only when 12 runs are needed to win”), highlighting the complex loyalty of fans who adore Dhoni yet support their hometown team.
The fan fervor was evident when IPL shared a video capturing the excitement of fans and the staff at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the CSK legend. The video included comments from a fan who expressed a warm yet competitive welcome, “Lucknow MS Dhoni ka baahe kholkar swagat karta hai. Yaha ki mehmaan nawazi bahot mashoor hai. Aaiye sir, or pyar se humko adab se harake jaiye. Dhoni reed ki haddi hai Bharat ki. Humko inko pasand karna hi hai. Dhoni ko sab log pyar karte hai” (“Lucknow welcomes MS Dhoni with open arms. This city is famous for its hospitality. Please come sir, and respectfully defeat us. Dhoni is the backbone of Indian cricket, and loving him is our duty. Everyone loves MS Dhoni”).
Sanjeev Agrawal, chief curator of the stadium, added to the praises showered on Dhoni by describing him as not just a cricketer, but a phenomenon. “Mahi bhai ek umda insaan hai. Ek feel aata hai ki ye banda hai ki inke sath mai baat karu. Aisa attraction hai ki jaha pe bhi vo khade hojae ground me, poori duniya unke peeche pagal hojati hai. Jis insaan ne ground pe itna samay bitaya hai, vo ground pe hi rahe, hume acha lagega” (“Mahi bhai is a great person. It feels like he’s the kind of man you want to talk to. He has such an attraction that wherever he stands on the field, the whole world goes crazy for him. For someone who has spent so much time on the ground, it feels right to see him there”).
As the match approaches its scheduled date, both teams have an equal number of games under their belts, with CSK currently in third place boasting four wins, and LSG closely trailing with three victories. The April 19th face-off not only marks a mid-season pivot point for both teams but also sets the stage for their next encounter, scheduled just four days later in Chennai at Chepauk, the fortress of CSK.
As the city gears up for one of the most awaited matches of the season, the essence of competitive sports woven with personal legacies like that of MS Dhoni provides a perfect blend of thrill and emotion for cricket enthusiasts, ensuring that the stadiums are packed and the spirits are soaring high this IPL season.