Thala's Timeless Triumphs: Five Memorable Moments from MS Dhoni's Tenure as CSK Skipper

The Chennai Super Kings are synonymous with two things: first, consistency, and second, this one the Chennai faithful are much prouder of, ‘Thala’ (Chief) Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The undoubted insignia of the team and, more notably, the city itself.

And as always, there is no calling what Captain Cool has planned, as just a day before the 17th season of the Indian Premier League was set to get underway, Dhoni, one of the greatest captains in the history of cricket, has stepped down as the Chennai Super Kings captain.

On the day of the announcement, let us take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most memorable moments throughout the historied and decorated career of ‘Thala’ MS Dhoni as the skipper of CSK.

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A Picture-Perfect Ending to the IPL 2023 Triumph with Ravindra Jadeja

The final of the 2023 IPL will remain in the history books for various reasons. After the match shifted to the reserved day due to rain, Gujarat Titans posted a mammoth total of 214. Since rain played a spoilsport during the innings break, Chennai had a revised target of 171 runs to chase in 15 overs. The top order helped Chennai in gaining a powerful start but their middle-order lacked the urgency.

When there was hardly any hope left for Chennai, their star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja came out of his shell, smashing a six and a boundary in the final two deliveries to win the last-ball thriller. Following the miraculous finish, Jadeja went straight to Dhoni and the Chennai captain lifted him up, a picture that will stay in the hearts of Thala fans forever.

The First IPL Triumph with CSK

There really is nothing like that first time is there? Thala Dhoni etched his name into history and the hearts of the Chennai faithful for eternity as the talisman Captain Cool led the Super Kings to their very first IPL title win, becoming the first Indian captain to achieve the feat in the franchise competition.

It would prove to be the first of many more — five, to be exact — as Thala Dhoni would go on to cement his legacy as Chennai’s adopted son, and arguably as the best captain that the franchise tournament will ever see.

A Bombastic Blitzkrieg Over Mumbai Indians in 2012

Chennai vs Mumbai: the battle of the bastions of IPL. The fixture has never failed to deliver memorable moments, with both teams facing off in every stage of the competition multiple times. But, it was back in 2012, as CSK were in the hunt of a three-peat of titles, when Dhoni delivered a masterstroke for the ages.

Facing MI in the Eliminator this time, Dhoni, who came in to bat at number five, smashed a blistering 51 off just 20 deliveries. His devastating knock included a giant 112-metre six over James Franklin which is still regarded as one of the most powerful shots in IPL history.

A Definitive Dhoni Dhamaka vs Punjab Kings in 2010

In a do or die semifinal during the 2010 IPL, Punjab Kings set up a massive target of 192 for Chennai Super Kings on a tricky Dharmashala wicket. Chennai had to chase 29 runs in the final two overs in that game. Dhoni produced a blistering 54-run knock in just 29 balls, taking his team into the playoffs almost single-handedly. In a celebratory gesture, Dhoni was captured hitting his helmet with his gloves after smashing two sixes in the final over to seal the deal.

Thala Taking on the Royal Challengers Head-On in 2019

Chennai Super Kings had a target of 162 in front of them against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2019. After the Chennai top order faced a massive collapse, Dhoni took over the charge and registered the highest score of his IPL career– 84 runs off 48 balls. In the final over, Chennai needed 26 runs and the Chennai captain almost got the job done by smacking three monstrous sixes but he ultimately fell just one run short of the target.